Man convicted for drink-driving offence at Lumville Cross in The Curragh, County Kildare

A driving disqualification and a fine was imposed on a man for a drink-driving offence.

The decision was imposed by Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court on Thursday, October 5 last.

His decision relates to Samuel Pricopi, with an address listed as 40 Old Bawn Road in Tallaght, Dublin 24, County Dublin.

The 49-year-old was absent from the courthouse when his conviction was delivered.

Gardaí told the judge that on October 27 last, Mr Pricopi was approached by gardaí on duty at Lumville Cross in The Curragh, as his car was situated in the middle of the R413 road, and he was using his phone.

When gardaí at the scene spoke to him, they noted that he was unresponsive to them, his eyes were glazed over, and that they noticed a 'strong smell of alcohol in the car.'

In addition, the gardaí noticed cans of beer in the backseat of Mr Pricopi’s car.

The court was told that Mr Pricopi pleaded guilty to the offence.

Commenting on Mr Pricopi’s use of his phone at the time his car was stopped, Judge Desmond Zaidan jokingly asked: "Was he taking photos of the sheep?"

The judge ultimately imposed a three-year driving disqualification on Mr Pricopi, as well as a fine of €500.

He gave him three months to pay the fine.