Man stopped driving in Offaly had highest reading of cocaine judge ever heard of
A man who Judge Andrew Cody described as having the highest reading of cocaine he ever heard of when he appeared at Tullamore district court last November, was in court again on Wednesday of this week.
On May 23, 2023, Joseph Jessop (43) of Newtown, Tyrellspass, Westmeath, was attempting to drive while exceeding the drug limit on the N52 at Ballard. He was also driving while under the influence of alcohol. He was stopped by Garda Dermot Bannon, of Tullamore Garda Station.
Judge Cody said he had been 40 times the legal limit when he appeared in court last November, now he is back and is four times over the legal limit.
Solicitor Donal Farrelly said Mr Jessop was still shocked by the reading from last November.
He said his client has since sustained a broken foot. His marriage had broken up and he had lost his family. He had spent Christmas in hospital.
In his evidence to the court, Sergeant Brendan Kearns said that on May 23 2023, Mr Jessop was driving a blue Hyundai car dangerously and was stopped and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant. A blood sample revealed 155 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood and 186.2 nanograms of cocaine per 100 millilitres of blood.
Mr Jessop had 10 previous convictions including dangerous driving and had been disqualified from driving in 2022. He also had convictions for a hit and run.
Mr Farrelly said his client was extremely unwell and will be readmitted to hospital on January 11. He is on medication and his living conditions are quite difficult as he is separated from his family. He said his client had been through a torrid time and will never drive again.
Judge Andrew Cody described Mr Jessop as being ''off his head'' and ''way over the top'' being 45 times the legal limit. He said there was nothing more appropriate for him than jail.
He said Mr Jessop had been convicted on November 11 2023 on the back of previous convictions.
On the charge of driving while under the influence of cocaine, he imposed a six month sentence which he suspended on his own bond of €100, in addition he fined the defendant €500 and disqualified him from driving for 10 years.
For driving over the alcohol limit he imposed a six month sentence suspended on his own bond of €100 and disqualified him from driving for 10 years. To run concurrently.
The judge warned him if he is back before the court again he will go to jail. Judge Cody said Mr Jessop was a danger to the people of Offaly.