Dundalk Court: Community service for drink-driver
A 41-year-old drink-driver who was caught over the legal limit for a second time, was last week sentenced at Dundalk District Court to 220 hours community service, instead of a four month sentence.
Vidmantas Lingis, Cherrywood Close, Termon Abbey, Drogheda previously had his case adjourned so his suitability to perform community service could be assessed.
That sitting had heard details of nine previous convictions, including for drunk driving.
Judge Eirinn McKiernan said the defendant had got every chance before and the only thing going for him (in respect of this case) was his guilty plea.
The offence occurred at Coe’s Road, Dundalk on January 19th last year.
The Defence solicitor said his client had no reasonable excuse.
He had been drinking earlier in the day and the van he was driving was provided by his then employer.
He had since been involved in a road traffic accident and was no longer working.
Last Wednesday, the solicitor told Judge John Brennan that the Probation report found his client suitable for community service.
In addition to making the community service order, Judge Brennan disqualified Mr. Lingis from driving for three years and marked the two remaining charges of driving without insurance or a driving licence taken into consideration.