Former wedding band member was three times over alcohol limit when stopped in Longford, court hears
A Kildare man who was three times over the legal alcohol limit was fined €200 and banned from the road for three years at Longford District Court.
Gavin Phelan (44) of Inish Lane, Barron Rath, Straffan, Kildare was charged with driving with an excessive quantity of alcohol in his system when stopped by Gardaí at Cloonart North, Bornacoola, Longford.
Sergeant Conor McShane said that on May 22, 2022 officers stopped a Mercedes jeep headed to Longford. The driver's eyes were glassy and there was a smell of alcohol. The driver failed an oral fluid test and a subsequent blood test returned a reading of 155mg of alcohol per 100 mls of blood.
The court was told Mr Phelan has one previous conviction. Solicitor Tom McDonald said his client is a musician who plays in a wedding band. Mr McDonald said the defendant was on his way back from a gig when stopped by Gardaí. The legal representative said Mr Phelan has not played with the band since this incident.
The defendant is married with four children, his wife is a Primary School teacher and he is a stay at home father. Judge Bernadette Owens registered a conviction and imposed a fine of €200 with six months to pay and a disqualification of three years.