Offaly man on eight-year driving ban disqualified for ten years after new conviction

A TEN-year disqualification from driving and two concurrent three-month suspended prison sentences were imposed on a man for insurance and drug offences.

Darren Murphy, Glendaniel, Tullamore, was prosecuted after gardai stopped a vehicle at Cloncollig industrial estate on April 17 last.

Tullamore District Court was told that when Mr Murphy was searched €20 of cannabis was found and the man admitted ownership of it.

Sergeant James O'Sullivan said Mr Murphy had 40 previous convictions and in 2017 had been disqualified from driving for eight years for dangerous driving.

Defending solicitor Donal Farrelly said his 29-year-old client had come from a very difficult background but had turned his life around and worked for a local firm as a service engineer.

On the date of the offence he had decided to drive his partner's vehicle a very short distance. He had been hoping to apply for restoration of his driving licence.

Along with the road ban and suspended sentences, Judge Andrew Cody imposed a €300 fine for driving without insurance.