Car swerved from hedge to hedge: Longford man convicted of dangerous and drunk driving

A driver convicted of dangerous driving while drunk was banned from the road for four years at Longford District Court.
Thomas Kelly (58) of Corfree, Lough Gowna, Cavan was convicted of dangerous driving and drink driving on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at Clough, Granard, Longford.

At a previous District Court sitting in front of Judge Bernadette Owens details of the offence were outlined. Last Tuesday Sergeant Paul Stewart continued with his evidence. He recalled turning off the ignition and removing keys from a car driven by Mr Kelly having stopped him at the Granard location.

The officer outlined forming the opinion the defendant was intoxicated while in control of a vehicle and so he took the keys from the ignition. He told Mr Kelly he was a member of the Gardaí.
Prosecuting Inspector David Jordan asked the witness if the driver tried to leave the area where he was stopped, or if the officer had prevented Mr Kelly from leaving.

“No, he just stayed there,” Sergeant Stewart said.
The next witness, Garda Eamon Flanagan, told the judge he received a call that directed him to Clough, Granard, where he arrived at 6:20pm.
The Garda saw two cars at the location, with Sgt Stewart and another man standing beside them.
The officer said the second man, Mr Kelly, appeared to be intoxicated.

Garda Flanagan spoke to Sgt Stewart who described the lead up to stopping Mr Kelly. The driver had been travelling over 80kph on narrow country roads, and had barely avoided colliding with the sides of the road.
The offending vehicle had swerved from side to side, and hedge to hedge. He had been on the wrong side of the road negotiating some bends. At one stage the vehicle passed a pedestrian.

The witness said Sgt Stewart told him he never lost sight of the vehicle even though it often travelled at more than 90kph.
Garda Flanagan said Mr Kelly was glassy eyed and clearly intoxicated. He described the driver as having “slurred speech” and told how he staggered as he was being helped into the Garda van. The officer said a blood test returned an alcohol reading of 66/100.
Garda Colin Goldrick, the member in charge on the evening Mr Kelly was arrested, supplied the court with details of the arrest of Mr Kelly at Longford Garda station.

Counsel for the defendant, Henry Kelly BL, made three applications to Judge Owens about the prosecution case. Mr Kelly's application referred to the 20 minute period of observation, the reading of the notice of rights to his client and the clarity of the Garda evidence in respect of the dangerous driving charge.

Having reviewed the application Judge Owens said she was satisfied the State had met the threshold for prosecution.
Putting forward the mitigation for his client Mr Kelly BL said the defendant had no previous convictions, and works in Dublin, so the loss of his licence will be a significant imposition.

The judge registered a conviction for both charges, imposing a €750 fine for the drink driving charge, with a two years disqualification. The dangerous driving conviction attracted a €500 fine and a four year driving ban.
Recognisance was set in the event of an appeal on the defendant's own bond of €500.

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