Longford motorist to face 200 hours of community service after being found drunk

A judge has indicated that a father of five who was drunk behind the wheel of his vehicle is facing 200 hours of community service.

Marian Peci of 1 Greenview, Galway Road, Roscommon pleaded guilty at the local district court to being drunk in charge of a vehicle on March 9 last.

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Sergeant Enda Daly court presenter said Gardaí were on patrol at 2.20am when they observed a man sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle at Tesco, Longford.

"On approaching the vehicle the man had his window down and he released his handbrake causing the vehicle to roll back.

"Garda Goldrick observed the keys in the ignition, the vehicle's dashboard lights on and the man's speech was slurred and there was a strong smell of intoxicating liquor."

Sgt Daly said Mr Peci was subsequently arrested and brought to Longford Garda Station.

"He failed to provide a urine sample upon the arrival of a doctor and he was subsequently charged."

The defendant had 37 previous convictions.

Solicitor Michelle Reynolds said her client is a Slovakian national who is married with five children aged between one and 14.
"He regrets what happened and he apologises for the incident."

Judge Bernadette Owens considered the circumstances and she stated she believed a restorative justice sentence would be appropriate.

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Judge Owens requested a community service assessment report and she indicated, if deemed suitable, she would be willing to impose 200 hours of community service in lieu of five months in prison.

She also ordered Mr Peci to complete the Pro Social driving course and adjourned the case until September 16 next.