Tipperary drink driver who had no insurance is given 'no guarantees' by judge

A man who was caught drink driving without insurance on three separate occasions has been given “no guarantees” by Judge Elizabeth MacGrath at Nenagh District Court.

Robert Cios of Carrigatoher, Nenagh, pleaded to no insurance and drink driving at Ballyhisky, Carrigatoher, Nenagh, on June 4, 2022.

He also pleaded to the same offences and dangerous driving at Five Alley, Nenagh, on July 9, 2022, and to similar offences at Streame, Nenagh, on November 6, 2022.

The court heard that the gardaí were on mobile patrol on June 4, 2022, when they observed Mr Cios driving erratically. He was arrested and subsequently found to be over the legal drink driving limit.

On Juy 9, they observed him driving erratically at Limerick Road and activated the blue lights on the patrol car but Mr Cios continue to drive, coming to a stop at Five Alley.

On November 11, the gardaí were operating a checkpoint at Streame when Mr Cios approached the checkpoint at speed and failed to stop. He continued towards Limerick at speed and was followed by the gardaí for 10kms.

His solicitor, David Peters, said his client was Polish and had come to Ireland seven years ago.

“Drink had become a problem and there had been a four or five-month period when his drinking had increased,” said Mr Peters.

He told the court that on each occasion Mr Cios had been caught he had been heading to his home.

Mr Peters said Mr Cios now believed that his drinking was under control.

He knew he was looking at a minimum of six years off the road and the possibility of a custodial sentence, he said.

“I ask you to give him some light at the end of the tunnel and consider a suspended sentence,” said Mr Peters “I just wonder if sending him to jail is the solution.”

Judge Elizabeth MacGrath said there was a “real problem here” as Mr Cios had been caught in June and July with a high level of drink driving.

“I will be giving a custodial sentence but after a probation report,” she said.

Judge MacGrath fined Mr Cios €200 and disqualified him from driving for three years for drink driving on June 4, 2022.

She fined him €150 for no insurance on the same occasion and banned him for two years.

Judge MacGrath adjourned sentencing on the other charges to June 9, 2023 for a probation report, warning she was giving him “no guarantees”.