Offaly man (23) facing two years in prison told to 'cop on'
Previously banned from driving for 10 years and subject to suspended sentences, he was back in Tullamore District Court on a drugs offence
A TULLAMORE man who is facing a potential two years in prison told the local District Court he wished to get his life back on track.
Jamie Collins (23), Chancery Park Road, Tullamore, had previously pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine on September 23 last at Chancery Park Road.
Mr Collins told Judge Andrew Cody he had been getting treatment and then broke his leg but should be getting back to treatment soon.
Sergeant Brendan Kearns said Mr Collins was subject to prison sentences which had previously been suspended and among the offences committed by the man were dangerous driving and uninsured driving.
Sergeant Kearns said as far as he was aware Mr Collins had not come to the attention of gardai since the offence in September last year.
Judge Cody ordered the preparation of a probation report and remanded Mr Collins on continuing bail to appear in court again on December 9 next.
“There's 24 more months riding on it. It's time to cop on,” he told the man.
In June last year Mr Collins was banned from driving for 10 years.
He had been charged with eight counts of dangerous driving on June 8 2024 when driving from Chancery Park to Srah Road in Tullamore.
The court heard he had 10 previous convictions including no insurance, no driving licence and driving while under the influence.
Judge Cody pointed out there were also three previous convictions for no insurance, one for dangerous driving and one for being intoxicated in public.
Mr Collins' solicitor at the time, Patrick Martin, said his client suffered from ADHD and said he wished to apologise for talking when he shouldn't have been during a court sitting.
“As well as ADHD he suffers from medical conditions which aren't fully diagnosed yet. His mother is present in court today. He lives with his mother. Since these offences occurred he has quietened down and has been doing quite well.”
Mr Collins was also charged with possessing €120 worth of cannabis for his own use on a separate date, to which he pleaded guilty.
Along with the 10-year driving ban, a 12-month suspended prison sentence was imposed and a probation report was ordered.
Mr Collins was also ordered to provide proof of clear urine tests.
(Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme)