'Putting his hands up and pleading guilty': Longford man caught drunk driving for fourth time

Sergeant Mark Mahon said Gardaí stopped the defendant in an Audi A4 on Battery Road in Longford

A motorist has been convicted and disqualified from driving for a year after he was caught drunk driving for a fourth time.

Francis Callinan of The Willows, Clonbalt Woods, Longford pleaded guilty at the local district court to the offence on January 8, 2023.

Sergeant Mark Mahon said Gardaí stopped the defendant in an Audi A4 on Battery Road in Longford.

Sgt Mahon said a roadside breath test was conducted which the defendant failed.

Mr Callinan was then arrested and brought to Longford Garda Station where a blood test gave a reading of 92mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

The legal limit is 50mg.

Mr Callinan had three previous convictions for drink driving.

Solicitor John Quinn, defending, stated his client had received some bad personal news a short time prior to this incident.

"He is putting his hands up and pleading guilty," he said. "His convictions previously are some time past.”

Judge Bernadette Owens noted the circumstances and she imposed a one year driving ban and aa €450 fine with six months to pay.