Banned drug driver went through checkpoint at Laois/Offaly border

A MAN who almost collided with gardai when he drove through a checkpoint was six times the limit for cocaine, Tullamore District Court heard.

Two consecutive four-month prison sentences were imposed on George Hibberd (28), Stradbrook, Stradbally Road, Portlaoise, by Judge Andrew Cody.

Sergeant Justine Reilly, court presenter told the court that Mr Hibberd's vehicle was followed through Portarlington and it was seven to eight kilometres before gardai got in front of him.

The offences were committed at about 9.30pm on March 16 last and when Mr Hibberd was apprehended he tested positive for both cocaine and cannabis. He was also a disqualified driver at the time.

Sergeant Reilly said in addition to fines and disqualifications, Mr Hibberd had also been previously sentenced and the Portarlington offence was his second for drug driving.

David Nugent, BL, defending, said the offences had been committed at a difficult period in his life when he had been abusing drugs and he knew he should have sought help.

Mr Nugent said the man was now seeking a treatment programme, as well as employment.

A father of four with a partner, he was aware that he was facing a custodial sentence but was asking the court to give him a chance because he was looking to change his life.

Judge Cody said Mr Hibberd's cocaine reading was six times the legal limit and he was 10 to 11 times the cannabis limit, after a previous conviction.

Mr Hibberd had been charged with dangerous driving at Gracefield, Portarlington and drug driving, dangerous driving and driving without insurance and licence at Annamoe, Portarlington.

Judge Cody sentenced him to four months in prison for dangerous driving and another four months for drug driving.

A four-month concurrent sentence was imposed for uninsured driving and three 10-year driving bans were also imposed.

Recognisances were fixed for an appeal.

In January this year Mr Hibberd received a three-month suspended sentence at Tullamore District Court for drink driving and dangerous driving in Tullamore on September 28 last year.

The court heard he was driving a a Volkswagen Passat at O'Moore Street in the town at 10.15am and overtook a number of cars and ran a red light.

Fifteen minutes later at Daingean Road in the town the same car was driving at “high speed” in the direction of Tullamore and the driver lost control and collided with a brick wall.

The court heard the accused man left the scene, with the vehicle in the middle of the road and a passenger had to be brought to hospital.

As well as the suspended sentence, fines of €1,500 were imposed, plus a driving ban of four years.

(Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme)