Aoife will be dearly missed by her wife Karen and all the Lennon family
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13 Sept 2025
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13 Sept 2025
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The officers noted there was a strong smell of alcohol and the defendant was brought to Longford Garda station
A father of six who made a “catastrophically stupid mistake” will be assessed to ascertain if he is suitable for community service.
Joseph Jessop (44) of 58 Tower View, Mullingar, Westmeath was in Longford District Court charged with driving without insurance, having no drivers licence, failing to produce insurance and driving over the legal limit.
Giving details to the court Sergeant Enda Daly said at 2:45am on September 7, 2024 officers observed a vehicle driving in the middle of the Dublin Rd in Longford town. When the officer stopped the vehicle they spoke to the driver, Mr Jessop.
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The officers noted there was a strong smell of alcohol and the defendant was brought to Longford Garda station.
His reading was 13mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, where the legal limit for a specified driver is 9mg per 100ml of blood.
Solicitor Frank Gearty said such a low level of alcohol would generally be dealt with by ticket, but because Mr Jessop was banned from driving at the time he was a “specified driver”.
The defendant had 16 previous convictions and was disqualified for 10 years for dangerous driving at a previous court sitting.
Mr Gearty said his client was “not proud of his record”. The legal representative said the defendant had undertaken to collect a car for another person.
Judge Owens expressed incredulity that the defendant was picking up a car at 2:45am.
Mr Gearty said his client was building up his business as a mechanic and was making every effort for his customers.
The solicitor said the father of six children made a “catastrophically stupid mistake” by getting involved in an “inadvisable venture”.
“This was an aberration,” Mr Gearty said, adding that his client respects the orders imposed by the court.
Judge Owens directed that a community service report be compiled with a recommendation for 240 hours in lieu of a six month sentence and adjourned the matter to March 18 with liberty to re-enter the matter.
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