Three year ban for man who was a garda when caught drink driving

A 24-year-old man who was a garda when caught drink driving has been disqualified from holding a driving licence for three years.

A further charge of dangerous driving was taken into consideration in the conviction imposed by Judge Vincent Deane at Donegal District Court on Monday. 

The case was prosecuted by state solicitor for Donegal, Kieran Dillon. He told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had accepted a guilty plea in relation to the drink driving offence. 

John Gibbons of Bogagh Road, Carrick pleaded guilty to both offences which took place at Main Street, Donegal Town on March 19, 2021.

Sergeant Robin Hennigan told the court that at 12.15am, he was travelling through Donegal Town when he observed a Dacia Sandero jeep stopped at the Old Laghey Road. 

“It took off in the direction of Donegal Town at speed, veering over the central line,” he said. 

Garda Hennigan activated the blue lights on the patrol car and the defendant’s vehicle stopped. 

Gibbons was subsequently arrested on suspicion on drink driving and conveyed to Ballyshannon Garda Station, 

He was found to have an alcohol level of 170mg per 100ml of blood. The drink driving limit is 50mg. 

Garda Hennigan said: “The defendant was fully cooperative on the night and was apologetic and remorseful his actions.

Judge Deane asked if the dangerous driving allegation related to crossing the central white line and the fact that the defendant had consumed alcohol.

Garda Hennigan said a further factor was that the defendant was driving through Donegal Town at 80km/h in an area with a 50km/h speed restriction.

Solicitor for the accused Gerry McGovern said his client was a decent young man.

“He was fully cooperative; he held his hands up,” said Mr McGovern. “He never came to the attention of gardaí before.”

Gibbons was convicted for drink driving, and handed down a three-year disqualification from holding a licence. 

In imposing a fine, Judge Deane asked: “What is his means?”

Mr McGovern replied: “He won’t be in employment. He will be unemployed.”