Sentence imposed on man for driving offence committed in North Kildare

A custodial sentence was imposed on a Dublin man produced at Naas District Court on Thursday, March 23, for a driving offence committed in North Kildare.

Jonathan O' Neill, with an address given as 50 Basin Street Flats, Dublin 8, County Dublin, but who is remanded in custody, was convicted of the offence by Judge Desmond Zaidan.

Gardaí at Naas District Court told the judge that the 40-year-old was caught driving without a valid driver's licence and without insurance at the N7 Castlewarden in Kill on August 6, 2020.

Mr O' Neill was brought in for the execution of a bench warrant.

He pleaded guilty to the offence.

Gardaí explained that when he was stopped and questioned, he was initially evasive of giving his name to them, and added that he was disqualified from driving at the time of the offence.

It was heard that he has 52 previous convictions, 36 of which are for road traffic-related offences.

Of the 36 road traffic offences, eight are for driving with no insurance, and one is for a drink-driving offence.

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His longest driving ban was for ten years.

Defending barrister Donncha Craddock told the judge that his client is doing well in custody, and is trying to secure a place in an addiction rehab course.

He added that Mr O' Neill is already serving a lengthy sentence.

After consideration, Judge Zaidan said that he believed that 'the aggravating features outweigh his personal circumstances' and sentenced him to a total of eight months in custody: five months for the no insurance offence, and three months for the no licence offence.

He also imposed an eight-year driving disqualification on Mr O' Neill.