Six-month ban for speeding imposed on Offaly man in his absence

A man who did not appear before Tullamore District Court to face a summons alleging speeding was convicted and disqualified from driving for six months.

Cathal O'Donohue, 16 Whitehall, Tullamore, was also fined €500 after Judge Andrew Cody heard the evidence against him in his absence.

A summons alleged Mr O'Donohue had exceeded the speed limit of 50kph at Church Street, Clara on August 10 last year.

Garda Stacey O'Brien gave evidence that a letter in relation to the prosecution was sent by registered post on June 13 last and was returned to the gardai.

Garda O'Brien said gardai went to the man's home on August 4 to serve on him personally but another person, who the garda said was a son of the accused, refused to take it and the summons was left on a bench inside the front door.

As the gardai were leaving the summons was thrown at the front door on the ground and the summons was then posted back to the garda station.

Garda O'Brien said that after a date on which she stated the accused man should have been in court a letter was sent to him on October 3 which was posted back.

“You're pen pals so at this stage,” remarked Judge Cody to the garda.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns tendered evidence of postage and a certificate of ownership of the vehicle.

A witness for GoSafe gave evidence that at 3.16pm on August 10, 2023 the vehicle was detected driving at a speed of 63kph in a 50kph zone.

Judge Cody imposed the driving ban and fine and gave Mr O'Donohue three months to pay the penalty.