Sentenced for drug-driving offence in Maynooth, County Kildare

A County Dublin man was sentenced on Thursday, March 21 last for a drug-driving offence he committed in Maynooth.

Alessandro Velardo, with an address listed as 4 Cooleven Walk, Cloverhill Road, Dublin 22, County Dublin, but who is currently in custody on separate matters, appeared before Judge Desmond Zaidan via video-link.

The 34-year-old submitted a guilty plea in relation to the offence.

Gardaí at Naas District Court told Judge Zaidan that on March 3, 2023, Mr Velardo was caught driving a vehicle while under the influence of cocaine at Mill Street in Maynooth.

It was heard that a blood test showed that he had cocaine in his system at the time of the offence.

The court was told that Mr Velardo has 30 previous convictions, 26 of which are for matters related to road traffic offences, but no previous convictions for any drug-driving offences.

Defending barrister Donncha Craddock told the court that his client is a father of four children has 'a difficult background.'

Barrister Donncha Craddock. File photograph.

Mr Craddock added: "A number of the road traffic offences for which he was convicted over happened because he was living in his car for some time."

He further said that Mr Velardo lost a close friend, and this, combined with turning to drugs, caused him to suffer a downward spiral.

Concluding his points, he asked Judge Zaidan for leniency for his client, and pointed out that Mr Velardo has been availing of both an educational programme and counselling services in prison.

In response, the judge said that he would not add on any further jail time onto Mr Velardo's current sentence.

He instead ordered Mr Velardo to immediately pay a fine of €500, and also disqualified him from driving for two years.