Long road ban and six-month suspended sentence for Offaly driving offence
A TEN-year driving ban was imposed on a man convicted of drug driving at Tullamore District Court.
Judge Andrew Cody heard that Dermot O'Brien (35), The Hermitage, Main Street, Birr had 93 previous convictions including one for drink driving in Limerick.
Mr O'Brien was summonsed for driving under the influence of an intoxicant and dangerous driving on the N52 at Charleville Demesne, Tullamore on August 4 last year.
Sergeant Richard Thornton told the court a Renault Megane car was seen driving erratically at 3am and when the driver spoke to gardai initially he gave a false name.
A urine sample was found to contain alcohol, cocaine and cannabis, added Sergeant Thornton.
Mr Martin, who entered a guilty plea, said the alcohol level was below the threshold for prosecution.
“Part of the cocktail,” responded Judge Cody.
Sergeant Thornton said Mr O'Brien had previous convictions for assault, vehicle theft, driving without insurance, drink driving and driving under the influence of an intoxicant, and public order offences.
A six-year driving ban had previously been imposed on him and he had also been previously sentenced.
Judge Cody noted the man had at least three previous convictions for driving while intoxicated.
Mr Martin said his client had served five months in prison. He had been sentenced for driving without insurance on the same date as the offences now before the court, August 4.
The solicitor said the accused had not drunk since then. His parents had died during Covid and he then got involved in drink and drugs.
A father of three, he apologised for the offences.
In addition to the 10-year driving ban, Judge Cody fined the man €500 and imposed a suspended prison sentence of six months.
In relation to the suspended sentence he added: “That's not a slap on the wrist. If he appears before me on any road traffic matter again he'll do the full six months.”
Recognisances for an appeal were also fixed.