Longford motorist with 'shocking drinking problem' hit with jail term and twelve years road ban

A county Longford man with a string of motoring convictions has been handed a six month jail term and disqualified from driving for 12 years.

Daniel Maguire (35) of Aughagreagh, Ballinalee pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance on December 31, 2024.

Sergeant Mark Moran said Garda Yvonne Glacken stopped the defendant at Moyne, county Longford driving a tractor on December 31, 2024 and she was aware he had been disqualified three months earlier.

The defendant was arrested as he had breached his bail conditions and he has been in custody ever since.

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The court heard Mr Maguire was also arrested by Garda Gerard Clogher on September 10, 2024 on suspicion of drink driving and he refused to provide a sample of his breath, blood or urine.

The 35 year-old was separately convicted at Longford Circuit Court earlier this month of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm following a crash on October 1, 2021 at Kilmurray, Mullinalaghta and sentenced to four years in prison and given a 15 year driving ban.

The defendant and two passengers sustained injuries and were hospitalised.

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Mr Maguire had 24 previous convictions, including six previous convictions for drink driving and five previous convictions for driving without insurance.

Solicitor Frank Gearty, defending, said he believed the sentence for dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm would not have been so severe but for the "these pending charges which were referred to in detail".

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"Mr Maguire has engaged in the strongest possible way at recognising his drink problem, the drink is at the root of all of this and it is a disaster," he said. "When he is sober he is the most agreeable and helpful type of fellow."

The legal representative said his client was due to be released on March 30, 2028.

Mr Gearty said his client wrote a letter where he admitted he had a "shocking drink problem" and he "has a battle that he has to win and conclude within the prison system".

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The court heard his family have been very supportive.

Judge Bernadette Owens said if Mr Maguire used "half of his time using his skills" he would be on the right path.

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She imposed a six month concurrent prison sentence and disqualified him for 12 years in respect of each of the two driving while disqualified and no insurance offences.