Kerry man disqualified for six years after drink driving offence
The KerrymanA man was disqualified from driving for six years at Listowel District Court last Thursday after registering four times the legal limit for alcohol on a breath test in August.
The court heard that Daniel Reidy (30) of The Village, Duagh drove his vehicle through Listowel on a busy night on August 25, coming to garda attention as he cruised up William Street.
“The engine was roaring and the horn was beeping loudly,” a garda told the court.
Gardai followed the vehicle down Charles Street and caught up to it on Bridge Road, he said.
Mr Reidy had a strong smell of liquor on his breath, glassy eyes and slurred speech, said the garda. It was about 2.30am.
“He stumbled against the vehicle and we had to hold him up,” said the garda.
“I formed the opinion he was under the influence of alcohol,” he added.
Mr Reidy was arrested and brought to Listowel Garda Station, where his breath tested 92 mcg per 100 ml after a 20-minute observation.
Judge David Waters convicted and disqualified Mr Reidy for six years, with a €400 fine.
The judge said Mr Reidy’s behaviour was “absolutely idiotic” given he had a drink driving conviction from July 2017, in addition to convictions for careless driving and no car insurance from 2019.
“If he comes before me again, he’s getting into the realm of whether it’s a prison sentence or not,” said the judge.