Church pastor at risk of prison sentence 'looking for mercy' at court in the Midlands

A man who faced a number of driving charges at Longford District Court had his case adjourned, pending a community service report.

Shanks Kaunda, who is now living in Killeshandra and previously resided in Scotshouse, Co. Monaghan, was found to have committed a number of driving offences in Rathcronan, Granard on May 14, 2024.

Sgt Mark Mahon told the court that on that date, Gardai stopped the man at a checkpoint. Mr Kaunda produced a driving licence, but it was from South Africa and he had no Irish driving licence.

He was also found to have no car insurance.

The court was told that he had 17 previous convictions, including some for having no car insurance.

He had been previously disqualified from driving.

His solicitor, Ms Brid Mimnagh, told the court that her client accepts that “he is very much at risk.”

“He is looking for mercy. He is a pastor in his church and looks after a number of churches,” she stated.

She went on to say that there was a letter available from her defendant’s landlord. He was working as a self-employed sales agent.

“On the day, my client was driving because a child of one of his parishioners had died. The references for him are extensive. They set out a man who has worked extensively for his community. He knows that he is at very significant risk and he is asking to avoid a prison sentence,” Ms Mimnagh told the court.

Judge Owens told Mr Kauna that she “wouldn’t be making any promises.”

She adjourned the case until September 17, with a community service report being prepared in the meantime.