Longford man with 'catalogue of previous convictions' asking for 'an opportunity' to avoid jail
Judge expects defendant to have completed an IPCI driving module
A defendant with 23 previous convictions will be assessed by probation services to ascertain if he is a suitable candidate for community service.
Ryan Doyle (23) of 15 Ardnacassa Avenue, Ballinalee Road, Longford was before Judge Bernadette Owens on six charges.
The offences Mr Doyle faces are that on February 3, 2024, at Ballinalee Road, Longford he was the driver of a vehicle without insurance or a drivers licence, that he drove with a concentration of THC (cannabis) in his system above the permitted level and that he failed produce his insurance.
A charge of dangerous driving was struck out prior to the hearing of the case details. Mr Doyle was also charged with possession of cannabis on February 16, 2024.
Sergeant Mark Mahon outlined details of the incident that brought the defendant before the court. Sgt Mahon said that on February 3 last at 10:30pm on the Ballinalee Road an officer on patrol stopped a vehicle driving in an erratic manner. The Garda spoke to the driver, Mr Doyle, and formed the opinion he was under the influence of an intoxicant.
The defendant was brought to Longford Garda station and a sample of blood tested positive of cannabis.
The other matter related to an incident on Friday, February 16, 2024 at 9:10pm when a search of a house at Ardnacassa Avenue under warrant found the defendant in possession of €100 worth of cannabis. He took full ownership of the drugs and cooperate fully.
Sgt Mahon said Mr Doyle had 23 previous convictions, including four for driving without insurance and one for possession of cannabis.
Solicitor Fiona Baxter acknowledged that her client had a “catalogue of previous convictions”. Ms Baxter said the defendant had a “taste of prison” in June of 2021 when he received a custodial sentence for an incident of violent disorder arising from a feud.
The solicitor said this had the “desired effect” on Mr Doyle, however when his wife's father died in tragic circumstances this had a negative impact on his life.
Ms Baxter said the defendant started using the prescription drug Lyrica, but was now drug free and was committed to recovery. The solicitor told Judge Owens that Mr Doyle had engaged with Irish Prisons Community Integration, a State body that works to provide offenders with a greater understanding of criminal offence behaviour.
Ms Baxter said her client had linked in with IPCI and was serious about his rehabilitation. She said the defendant, a father of one child, does not want to go to prison and was “asking for an opportunity”.
Judge Owens said she would direct a probation report which would include a community service assessment. Judge Owens said she expected Mr Doyle to have completed an IPCI driving module before the matter returns before court on April 15, 2025.