Disqualified driver arrested by gardaí in Longford banned for 16 years

A disqualified motorist, who was caught driving has been jailed for five months and banned for 16 years.

Barry Murray of Drumroagh, Ballyjamesduff, county Cavan pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to drug driving and driving without insurance at Tonywardan, Longford on October 24, 2023.

Sergeant Enda Daly said Gardaí observed an Audi A4 car being driven from Edgeworthstown in the direction of Granard with its reverse lights on constantly.

"The defendant was spoken to in relation to this matter and a check on the Garda mobility device stated the driver was disqualified, there was no tax, insurance or NCT displayed on the vehicle at the time," he added.

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Sgt Daly said Mr Murray undertook a roadside drug test which he failed for suspected cocaine and he was arrested and brought to Longford Garda Station where a sample was taken.

The court heard the defendant provided a blood specimen that showed a reading of 97ng of cocaine in his system, which exceeded the drug-driving limit.

Mr Murray had 30 previous convictions, including two for drink driving and several for driving without insurance.

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The court heard he had previously been disqualified for 15 years on June 1, 2018 for driving without a policy on September 11, 2017.

Solicitor Bríd Mimnagh said her client had been working in county Mayo at the time of the offence on October 24, 2023.

She said his father lives in Ballyjamesduff and her client often does his best to visit him.

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Ms Mimnagh said her client had also missed several court appearances as he was travelling frequently to England to visit a sick relative.

"He accepts he should have been driving on the occasion, he made an effort to come back to stay with his father but he should have taken public transport," she said. "He knows he is probably going to be disqualified for a very significant time."

Judge Bernadette Owens noted Mr Murray's large number of previous convictions and his guilty plea.

She decided to impose a five month prison sentence and disqualified Mr Murray from driving until 2040.

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