Clare businessman who ‘stumbled’ towards gardaí after road crash is banned for four years
Ciaran O’Sullivan of Brisla West, Cooraclare, Kilrush was before Ennis District Court arising from a road crash earlier this year
A Clare businessman who "stumbled" towards gardaí after he crashed his car in a suspected drink-driving incident has been disqualified from driving for four years.
Ciaran O’Sullivan, aged 40, of Brisla West, Cooraclare, Kilrush appeared before Ennis District Court to face a single charge arising from an incident earlier this year.
Sergeant John Burke said gardai attended the scene of a road traffic collision on April 11 last and upon their arrival, they observed the defendant stumbling on the road.
He said Mr O'Sullivan was arrested at the scene and taken to Ennis garda station where he refused to provide gardaí with a blood or urine sample for mandatory alcohol testing.
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Solicitor John Casey told the court that his client refused to give a sample because he suffers from anxiety and suffers from Claustrophobia.
Mr Casey pointed out that the defendant had co-operated fully with gardaí up to the point at which he refused to provide a sample.
He told the court that Mr O’Sullivan, a musician, has recently started his own honey business and that the driving ban "will have an impact".
Judge Alec Gabbett, who noted the defendant has no previous convictions, commented if he had provided a blood or urine sample, a shorter disqualification may have been imposed, depending on the reading.
"I feel sorry for him," he commented.
Mr O’Sullivan was convicted and disqualified from driving for four years. He was also fined €200 and given six months to pay.