Jail sentence and ten-year ban

A 40-year-old man had repeatedly refused to provide samples as he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, the District Court was informed.

John Walsh from Galbally, Ballyhogue admitted an offence committed in July of 2016 in Enniscorthy town, when he failed to provide a blood sample.

Judge Brian O’Shea learned that this was the fourth time that Walsh, described by his solicitor as an alcoholic, did not give a sample.

Solicitor David Tarrant reported that his client, father of two children, is now free of alcohol.

The judge noted that the case had been adjourned on 11 occasions before Walsh entered his plea of guilty.

At the time of the offence, he was already banned from driving and could not have been insured. Also before the court was a motor insurance charge dating back to 2015.

This offence drew a conviction with a jail sentence of three months and a ten-year driving ban.

The refusal of the blood was marked with three months consecutive.

The convicted man’s father was in court ready to stand bail for his son pending an appeal of the sentences to the Circuit Court.