A motorist was told he was lucky to be getting a three-year driving ban instead of what might have been six years for his second drunk driving offence.
Judge James Faughnan made his comment at Tuam District Court when dealing with the case of Michael Sweeney, Pollanalty East, Cloonfad who was found to be over four times the drink-driving limit when he was arrested in Dunmore on July 5 last.
The court heard evidence from Garda Darren Egan who observed Sweeney driving erratically in Dunmore and stopped him. He formed the opinion that Sweeney was under the influence, and after his arrest he was brought to Tuam Garda Station where a sample of his breath showed a reading of 89 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 22mg/100ml.
Sweeney had eight previous convictions and in 2019 had been disqualified from driving for three years after being convicted of drunk driving at Tuam Court.
Donal Canney solicitor (defending ) pleaded that his client had no intention of driving that night. He parked his car in the Square, Dunmore, and had arranged for a lift home. This arrangement fell through, however, and Sweeney took a chance and drove. His client was 52 and ran his own business. There had been much disruption in his life as a result of moving address of late and he was supporting a daughter in college.
Judge Faughnan said his previous drunk driving conviction should mean a six-year ban for a second offence, but he would keep this one at three years along with a fine of €200. The ban is not to come into force for a month to allow the defendant get his affairs in order.
