Wicklow motorist banned for 15 years

A WICKLOW town resident with 48 previous convictions was handed a prison sentence and put off the road for 15 years at last Wednesday’s sitting of Arklow District Court.

William O’Brien, 34 Hillview, Wicklow town, was charged with driving without insurance and a drivers licence on May 6, 2016, at Rosanna, Ashford. He was also charged with failing to produce the documents at his local Garda station.

The court heard that Mr O’Brien already has 48 prior convictions and that he is still subject to a driving ban of seven years.

He was also only recently ordered to do 120 hours of community service.

Defence solicitor, David Tarrant, said his client was ‘ trying to get his act together.’

He had serious hearing and breathing difficulties, the court heard

Judge David Kennedy ruled out making Mr O’Brien serve another 120 hours of community service and maintained that a custodial sentence would be more appropriate.

He sentenced Mr O’Brien to three months imprisonment, disqualified him from driving for 15 years and fined him €500.