Ex-senator in court on motoring charges
A FORMER Senator has appeared in court charged with a series of motoring offences following his arrest after attending the Indiependence Festival in Mitchelstown over the August Bank Holiday Weekend.
James Heffernan, a former Labour Senator who ran unsuccessfully for the Social Democrats in Limerick County in the last general election, appeared at Fermoy District Court last Friday under the Irish form of his name.
Seamus O hEifearnain, (36) from Baile an Lina, Coill Fhionan, Co Limerick was charged with a total of five motoring offences arising out his driving in Mitchelstown on M0nday, August 1 last when he was arrested by Gardaí at 8.58 am on the day in question.
A qualified teacher, O hEifearnain was charged with one count of dangerous driving at Coolnanave, Mitchelstown on August 1st 2016 and with one count of dangerous driving at Limerick Road, Mitchelstown on the same date.
O hEifearnain, who currently does not hold any public office, was also charged with driving without insurance, driving without a driving licence and drink driving all at Limerick Road, Mitchelstown when he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.
Garda Dave Delea of Fermoy Traffic Corps gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told the court that O hEifearnain made no reply to any of the five charges when they were put to him after caution.
O hEifearnain, who was casually dressed in jeans and a jumper, told Judge Brian Sheridan that he was representing himself but that he was attempting to obtain a solicitor.
“I am seeking all documents for disclosure,” he said.
O hEifearnain agreed with advice from Judge Sheridan that he would do well to consult with a solicitor and obtain legal advice given the technical natures of some of the charges and he said he would look for a solicitor.
Insp Eoin Healy applied to have the matter adjourned to October 7th for either a plea in the case or to fix a date for hearing if the charges are contested.
Judge Sheridan adjourned the case until that date with O hEifearnain’s consent.