Lengthy driving ban for Killalaman now residing in Australia
The defendant contested the case at Ballina District Court.
A man who now lives in Australia has received a 10-year driving ban.
Marcus Hunt, aged 33, formerly of Lisglennon, Killala, was not present at Ballina District Court but a drunk driving charge was contested in his absence.
Gda Micheal Gorman told the court that at 10.15pm on September 23, 2022, he was operating a checkpoint on the N59 at Gurteens, Ballina. Hunt’s car was stopped and the Garda suspected he had been drinking. After two unsuccessful attempts at providing a roadside breath test, the third attempt yielded a result of fail. Hunt was taken to Ballina Garda Station where another breath sample returned a read of 67mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 22mg.
Solicitor Peter Loftus argued that there were procedural failures by the Gardai but this was not accepted by Judge Vincent Deane. Hunt has previous convictions for drunk driving and no insurance.
Mr Loftus said the no insurance offence occurred 14 years ago and the drunk driving conviction was seven years old. His client has been living in Australia for 15 months and his partner is expecting a baby shortly. The likelihood of him returning to this jurisdiction is "slim".
Imposing a 10-year driving ban and fines totalling €2,500, Judge Deane said the accused has “very little regard for the road traffic laws".
