Motorist hit with three year driving ban after being caught in Longford drink driving for sixth time
A defendant convicted of drink driving was given a three month custodial sentence, but had it suspended for a period of 12 months.
Trevor Brannigan (51) of 25 St Patrick's Terrace, Monaghan, Co Monaghan was charged with drink driving at Rathcronin, Granard.
Inspector Frank Finn told the court that on Sunday, August 28, 2022 Garda Wallace was operating a checkpoint and randomly selecting drivers for testing.
When he spoke to Brannigan he noted a strong smell of alcohol from the driver's breath. He made the lawful demand for a breath sample, which returned a fail reading.
A subsequent blood test gave a reading of 47mg of alcohol per100ml of blood. Inspector Finn told the court the defendant had six previous convictions, five of which were for drink driving. Judge Bernadette Owens heard Brannigan served a six year driving ban which commenced in 2012.
Solicitor Brid Mimnagh said the previous convictions were now over 10 years old. The solicitor said her client works on minimum wage and is a separated father of three children.
Ms Mimnagh said Brannigan was very apologetic, explaining he had been drinking the night before.
Judge Owens observed that it was “a high reading for the night before”. In her summation the judge noted Brannigan has “significant relevant previous convictions” but noted they go back 10 years and that a number of the convictions were at the same time.
“He is not in the same position as someone with no previous convictions,” the judge said. Judge Owens registered a conviction and imposed a sentence of three month in prison, but suspended it for 12 months on the defendants own bond of €250.
Recognisance was sent in the event of an appeal on the defendant's own bond of €200.