Longford man fined €450 and disqualified from driving for two years

A man has been disqualified from driving for two years for driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

John Canning (43) of Muckerstaff, Coolarty, Longford, was observed by Gardaí on August 7, 2023, driving on the Granard Road in Edgeworthstown at 1.25am.

Mr Canning drove from the rear of the Edgeworthstown Library to Main Street, where he broke a red light.

Gardaí followed and stopped him and there was a smell of alcoholic liquor in the car, the court heard.

“His speech was slurred and his eyes were glassy,” said Sergeant Enda Daly, for the state.

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A breath specimen was provided and returned ‘fail’, and Gardaí arrested Mr Canning and conveyed him to Longford Garda Station, where two more breath specimens were provided.

The results of those specimens returned 51mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, which carries a two year disqualification.

Mr Canning has seven previous convictions, including no insurance and no NCT.

Solicitor for the defence, Ms Bríd Mimnagh said the occasion was “unfortunate”.

“He put his hands up at the earliest time he could,” she said.

Judge Bernadette Owens noted the guilty plea entered by the defendant and fined him €450 with six months to pay. He has also been disqualified from driving for two years.

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