Uninsured drug driver in Longford hit with four years road ban

A driver convicted of driving under the influence of cannabis was banned from the road for four years at Longford District Court.

Oliver Lennon (50) of Tullyhogan, The Pigeons, Athlone Westmeath was before the court arising from an incident on November 5. The defendant pleaded guilty to drug driving, and driving without a licence or insurance.

The matter came to Garda attention when officers in a patrol car observed a vehicle crossing over a continuous white line. The vehicle overtook a line of three vehicles and Gardaí estimated the defendant was travelling at 100kph in a 50kph zone.

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The officers stopped the vehicle and spoke to the driver, Mr Lennon. The Gardaí believed the driver had taken an intoxicant. An oral fluid swab tested positive for cannabis.

A subsequent blood test at the Garda station indicated Mr Lennon exceeded the legal limit for cannabis in his system to drive. The defendant also failed to produce his driving documentation. Mr Lennon had nine previous convictions, including a disqualification for dangerous driving.

At a previous sitting Judge Bernadette Owens directed the preparation of a probation report, with a recommendation of 240 hours of community service in lieu of six months in prison. 

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Sergeant Enda Daly pointed out to the judge that as part of the probation assessment process Mr Lennon was to have participated in a prosocial driving course.

Solicitor John Quinn said the report indicated his client was a willing candidate for community service. Mr Quinn explained the defendant had started the process of undertaking the pro-social driving course, but has not completed it.

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Judge Owens registered a conviction for the no insurance charge with a fine of €250 and a four year disqualification, the judge handed down 240 hours of community service in lieu of a six month custodial sentence for the drug driving. Part of that sentence includes that Mr Lennon completed the pro social driving course.