Suspended sentence and six-year ban given to already disqualified driver in Nenagh

A disqualified driver has been given a further six-year driving ban at Nenagh District Court. 

Robertas Sujetuvus (47) of 8 Carrig Derg, Ballycommon, Nenagh, was charged with theft, possession of drugs, driving with no insurance, driving with no licence and displaying a false insurance disc at Nenagh Swimming Pool on April 25, 2024.

Sergeant Regina McCarthy told Nenagh District Court that gardaí stopped the defendant after they received a report of theft from Lidl. 

The court heard that the defendant entered the store and took a bottle of wine with a value of €7.99 and made no attempt to pay for it.

The incident was caught on CCTV.

After the theft incident, the gardaí stopped the defendant, and on searching him, found a small amount of cannabis. 

They also found that his insurance disc was a photocopy and that he had been disqualified from driving.

The court was told the defendant has 16 previous convictions including, for theft, road traffic offences and public order offences.

NOT A GOOD RECORD

Acting for the defendant, solicitor Elizabeth McKeever acknowledged her client does “not have a good record on the road.”

She said he is 47, has a son, has health issues and is on a social welfare payment. 

She said in regards to his disqualification, she believes there may be a language barrier and said she has struggled to convey the seriousness of the situation to him. 

She said it is her understanding that he was driving his friend’s car to the NCT centre on the day of the incident.

She said despite gardaí finding drugs on his person, he does not have a drug problem but does seem to have issues with alcohol.

The defendant paid the compensation to Lidl in court. 

Judge Fiona Brennan said she noted the payment of compensation and said:

“In light of the repeated offending, the court is not satisfied there is a language issue.

“He knew he was disqualified and drove anyway.”

Judge Brennan imposed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years and a six-year driving ban.

For the charge of theft, the judge fined the defendant €100 and gave him six months to pay. For driving without a licence, she fined him €300 with six months to pay and for no insurance, a further €100.

The defendant also received a €100 fine with six months to pay for possession of drugs.