A Polish man who was convicted of his second drink driving charge in the space of six months was sentenced to 28 days in jail after pleading guilty to drink driving in Ballyhaunis District Court. Calin Ariun, with an address at Lizbrook House, Kirwin, Headford Road, Galway, was living in Ballyhaunis at the time of the offence. Ariun was stopped by Garda Shane Cuffe on Clare Street, Ballyhaunis, on January 1, 2009 at 1.54am when the garda saw a car driving down the road with no lights on. Garda Cuffe went in pursuit of the car which was driving at high speed and eventually got it to stop. When he went to the car he detected a strong odour of alcohol from Ariun. He arrested him and brought him to Ballyhaunis Garda Station where Ariun gave a blood sample which gave a reading of 180mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
Judge Devins asked the prosecution why Ariun was not being charged with driving while disqualified also, to which Garda Cuffe apologised saying it was an oversight on his behalf. However Judge Devins commented that it wasn’t just this case, but a few cases had haphazard charges which does not instil confidence in the public.
Judge Devins convicted and fined Ariun €1,000, disqualified him for the minimum mandatory period of six years, and sentenced him to 28 days in prison. She also fixed recognisance in case of appeal.
