Suspended prison sentence for Offaly man who drove while disqualified

A MAN who drove while disqualified received a suspended sentence and was put off the road, when he appeared at last week's district court.

In his evidence to the court, Sergeant David Harte said that on January 6, 2024, Shaun Heffernan, 24, Gallen View, Ferbane, was observed at Cloghan Service Station, Ferbane Street, Cloghan, he was driving with no driving licence or insurance. His vehicle was seized.

Mr Heffernan had five previous convictions. In June 2021 he was convicted of driving with no insurance and disqualified for four years. In 2019 he failed to produce insurance. In 2008 he was convicted of being drunk in charge of a vehicle and disqualified. He was also previously convicted under the misue of drugs act.

The court heard that Mr Heffernan was a 35 year old man with three children. On the day of the offence a friend had been in distress and he had driven three miles to him. He had been about to apply to court for the restoration of his licence. He has made life difficult for himself, the court heard. He had been a van driver and now cannot drive.

Noting his previous convictions, Judge Andrew Cody fined Mr Heffernan €500 for driving without insurance and he imposed a three month sentence, which he suspended for three years for driving without insurance. In addition he disqualified him for 4 years. For the offence of driving without a driving licence he fined the defendant €200. Judge Cody assigned legal aid.