Westport motorist gets jail term for litany of offences during the past year
The defendant has appeared before the courts in Mayo on multiple occasions during the past year.
A Westport man has been jailed for a litany of motoring offences.
Mike Smith, aged 54, of Arderry, Aughagower, pleaded guilty at Ballina District Court to drunk driving at Aughagower on June 22, 2023. He also admitted to having no insurance or driving licence.
During a previous hearing, Gda Ray Guilfoyle said he arrested Smith on suspicion of drunk driving and took a breath sample that gave a reading of 23mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 22mg.
Smith has several previous convictions and in early November received a six-year driving ban and a four-month term of imprisonment for driving while disqualified at High Street in Westport on October 29, 2023.
On April 25 last, Smith was disqualified for four years and given a four-month suspended prison sentence for driving without insurance. He was ordered by Judge Fiona Lydon on November 10 to undergo hair follicle testing to prove he has stopped drinking. However, he informed her last week he was unable to afford the €520 fee.
Smith, who works as a chef and is on temporary release from prison, was supported in court by his wife.
Judge Lydon said she was very unhappy to hear that Smith had still not completed the hair follicle test.
"I have huge concerns. I requested a hair follicle to inform me of the situation regarding Mr Smith," she added.
The court heard that a suspended sentence has been reactivated and Smith is due to appear in court again on December 22.
Judge Lydon imposed a six-month jail term and an eight-year ban.
