Time Longford man was 'getting a bit of cop on'

A defendant who pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and public order was fined a total of €400 at Longford District Court.

Thomas Sweeney (24) of 24 Lana Aoibhinn, Longford was represented by a barrister in his hearing before Judge Vincent Deane on a charge of driving without insurance and a public intoxication charge.

Counsel told the judge the no insurance charge arose as a result of a misunderstanding by the defendant's employer who did not realise that the policy only covered drivers over the age of 25. The barrister said his client was entering a plea of guilty to the public order charge. Sergeant Mark Mahon said that on July 15 at 9:50pm at Main Street, Longford the defendant was causing a disturbance during the Longford Festival. Mr Sweeney had taken drink from young people and was throwing it around.

Sgt Mahon said the defendant had 10 previous convictions, including those for careless driving, public order, threatening and abusive and producing an article.

Judge Deane said: “He is nearly 25 years of age now, it's about time he was getting a bit of cop on.”

Counsel said the offence was “at the low end of scales” describing it as “high jinx”. He said the defendant had “no cop on” at the time and was apologising for his actions. The legal representative said Mr Sweeney is a father of two children, one of which has a serious illness. He asked the judge to be “as lenient as possible” adding: “I see a bright future for him, his child is now taking precedence.”

Taking the facts of the case into consideration the judge imposed a fine of €300 for the no insurance charge and a fine of €100 for public order offence. The judge said he would not impose a driving band to allow the defendant an opportunity to get work.