Laois pensioner’s drink-driving ban will take effect in November
Portlaoise Courthouse
A PENSIONER had a driving ban postponed until the end of the summer when his case came before Portlaoise District Court last week. However, he was warned that the disqualification would take immediate effect if he is caught illegally parking on a double-yellow line.
Before the court was Maurice O’Connor, 13 Woodview, Stradbally, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving on 10 November last on the Timahoe Road, Stradbally with a reading of 54 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath.
The court was told that Mr O’Connor had been convicted of a similar offence 24 years ago.
Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her 68-year-old client “lives on a pension and does a bit of power washing, which is seasonal in the summer months and is looking for a postponement of the disqualification”.
Judge Andrew Cody initially agreed to postpone the disqualification to September. However Ms Fitzpatrick asked could it be stretched out to November.
Judge Cody said it was his understanding that summer finishes in September. Ms Fitzpatrick replied that her client had some more work on after that.
Judge Cody asked Sergeant JJ Kirby what he thought of Ms Fitzpatrick’s request? He replied: “I know him, judge. He is a decent man. I see him around Stradbally doing a bit of power washing.” Granting the postponement to 1 November, Judge Cody warned Mr O’Connor: “If you are seen parking on a double-yellow line from now until then, I will suspend the postponement.”
