Driver refused to provide a sample

A 32-YEAR- OLD motorist who failed to provide blood or urine sample after his arrest on suspicion of drink driving appeared before the District Court to receive a suspended jail sentence.

Tristram Dunne, 37 Monastery Avenue, Taghmon came to the attention of gardaí when the borrowed Citroen Berlingo van he was driving was seen travelling the wrong way along Charlotte Street.

The defendant was arrested and Doctor Stephen Bowe was called to the barracks but Dunne refused to provide the sample.

He later also failed to produce evidence that he was insured.

The offences were admitted but solicitor Eric Furlong suggested that his client and the doctor had a falling out some time ago. Also considered was a second prosecution brought after the same driver was intercepted at Castlecourt in Taghmon without insurance in January of last year.

Mr Furlong said that the defendant, who works with his father as a painter/decorator, had recently lost his grandmother.

Previous convictions included counts of drink driving and driving without insurance.

After considering his verdict over lunch, Judge Gerard Haughton decided to suspend three month and four month jail sentences as Dunne was convicted on the double of driving without insurance.

A five month term for failure to provide the sample was also suspended.