Offaly man convicted of dangerous driving and public order offences

A DEFENDANT from Edenderry was charged with dangerous driving and a number of public order offences during the July 16 sitting of Tullamore Court.

Darren Walsh, Rathlumbar, Edenderry was charged with dangerous driving on October 16 last at Rathmore Edenderry.

Sergeant Richard Thornton told the court that the Gardai were called to a road traffic accident between two cars at 6am on October 16.

“Mr Walsh was in one car and a female driver was in the other, who said she was going to work when Walsh's vehicle came across the road and hit her car.”

The defending solicitor Patrick Martin said his client was having a problem with his headlights, which led to the accident. “However,” Mr Martin added, “he accepts his responsibility for the accident.”

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Mr Walsh was also charged with intoxication in public at Ballyfore, Edenderry on May 10 last.

He was charged with threatening behaviour and failing to provide a name and address to a Garda at Ballyfore Edenderry on May 9 last.

He was charged with intoxication and failing to give a name and address in Sirocco's, Patrick Street, Tullamore on May 10 last.

Sergeant Richard Thornton pointed out that the Guards came across the defendant in Ballyfore at 10.52pm on May 9.

“He was asleep on the side of the road. When they woke him up he became very abusive. An ambulance was called and he told them to f*** off. On May 10 in Sirocco's he was intoxicated. He fell asleep in a chair and when woken up he was unsteady on his feet and refused to give a name and address to the Garda.”

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Mr Martin said his client is 43 years of age. “He developed an opioid addiction a few years ago which meant he lost his job and his accommodation in Dublin. He returned to live with his mother in Edenderry. He suffers from ADHD.”

Judge Andrew Cody convicted for dangerous driving, fined €400 and disqualified from driving for two years. For the public order offences he sentenced to two months in prison, suspending it for two years.