Tullamore road traffic collision led to drink driving conviction

A TULLAMORE man pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and drink driving during the recent sitting of Tullamore District Court.

Daniel Collins, 88 Thornsberry Tullamore pleaded guilty to the charges.

Sgt James O'Sullivan told the court that the Gardai attended a road accident on Davitt Street, Tullamore on February 13 last.

Following the collision Garda Michael Clancy said he formed the opinion that Mr Collins was intoxicated and wasn't in a fit state to drive a car.

The defendant also pleaded guilty to giving a false name / address / date of birth "subsequent to the commission of a road traffic offence," exhibiting an imitation disc on his windscreen, no driving licence, and no insurance. Judge Andrew Cody said that he took note that the defendant was three times the blood alcohol limit. Mr Collins had one only one previous misdemeanour against his name, which was parking on a double yellow line.

The defending solicitor Donal Farrelly said his client had been going through a bad patch at the time.

"As a result of this bad patch he was feeling suicidal. On this particular day he admits that he had drunk too much. He is now receiving counselling."

“This is a pretty bad conglomeration of offences," commented Judge Andrew Cody, who convicted and fined €100 for insurance and disqualified from driving for two years.

He adjourned the other offences to April 12, 2023 for a probation officer's report.