A notoriously dangerous driver has been put off the road for three years after previously sparking an outcry for his madcap antics behind the wheel.

Alberto Rizzini brought reckless driving to the fore of national debate in 2006 when, together with friend Tommy Gorman, he filmed himself speeding at nearly 200km/h down the N4 in Mullingar.

The video of the escapade subsequently ended up in the media, sparking a furious debate on driving behaviour.

Both escaped with €2,000 fines and no road ban, prompting Road Safety Authority chairman Gay Byrne to dismiss them as lucky "imbeciles" who should have been put off the road.

However, the Sunday Tribune has since learned that Rizzini has finally been disqualified for a further charge of dangerous driving on the same road.

Just 21 months after causing a sensation, the 26-year-old was spotted by an unmarked garda car carrying out more high-speed manoeuvres in heavy traffic.

Rizzini, with addresses in Verona, Italy, and Slanemore, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, appeared in court where he was fined €3,000 and banned for three years.

The court heard that he had been caught driving a Volkswagen Caravelle on a stretch of road between Edgeworthstown and Longford, heading west on the N4.

Despite the heavy rain and dangerous driving conditions, Rizzini made a number of risky overtaking manoeuvres, some of which were carried out on continuous white lines.

There was heavy traffic in both directions and one garda source described it as seriously dangerous driving.