Jailed Offaly man warned he could face further12 month prison term

AN imprisoned man due for release in April was warned that he could be jailed for another 12 months.

Tullamore District Court heard that Damian Gilmore (45), Bridge Street, Kilcormac, is currently serving a sentence which was imposed on him in October for road traffic offences committed on July 12 last year.

Mr Gilmore is also subject to a suspended sentence dating from 2023 for possession of cannabis and this year has been summonsed for driving without insurance on June 1 last year at Ballincur, Kinnitty.

The man's solicitor, Aisling Maloney, entered a plea on his behalf to the Ballincur insurance offence and in relation to the question of whether the suspended sentence should be activated, she said Mr Gilmore had been free of alcohol and cannabis for 18 months.

Ms Maloney outlined difficulties in her client's family including the sudden death of his partner's father and very recent difficulties with his son.

The solicitor said Mr Gilmore was doing well in custody and it was the first time for him to serve a sentence. He learned a lesson, she added.

Judge Andrew Cody adjourned the suspended sentence to July 23 next for a probation report and also adjourned consideration of a penalty for the insurance offence committed on June 1 last.

Judge Cody told Ms Maloney: “He's looking at 12 months back in again if he puts his nose out of joint.”

In October Tullamore District Court heard how gardai who were escorting the transport of a wind turbine part in the early hours of the morning stopped a driver who was dangerously trying to overtake them.

That resulted in Mr Gilmore being prosecuted for dangerous driving and having no insurance at Ballymooney, Ballinagar.

He pleaded guilty and the court heard that at 2.25am gardai escorting the turbine saw a black Golf car dangerously overtaking a patrol car before going onto a verge.

The driver of the car ignored gardai and was then stopped by a road block formed by gardai and a lorry. The driver was disqualified from driving at the time.

He had a total of 39 previous convictions for offences such as drug possession, public order, theft, criminal damage, assault and trespass.

Ms Maloney explained that on the night of the offence he was on his way to Edenderry in relation to an important family matter. Ms Maloney said it was a panicked decision on her client's part.

Mr Gilmore was disqualified from driving for 10 years and sentenced to six months in prison.