A married father of three, who has a serious alcohol issue, was disqualified from driving for six years and sentenced to prison at this week’s sitting of Castlebar District Court after he admitted drink driving on October 9 2010.
Garda Michael Kelly responded to a minor collision at Clogher, Claremorris, at 6.35pm. Richard Bodkin, Belclare, Tuam, Co Galway, had collided into another car. The defendant was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and at Castlebar Garda Station he provided a breath specimen which showed a reading of 103mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.
Bodkin was already disqualified from driving following a previous drink driving conviction.
The court heard that the defendant had been attending his daughter’s club football match along with the rest of his family. During half time Bodkin decided to take the car to go to the shop.
Judge Mary Devins convicted and fined him €1,000 for drink driving, disqualified him from driving for six years, and sentenced him to four months in prison. For driving while disqualified, the judge convicted and fined him €1,000, disqualified him from driving for six years concurrent, and sentenced him to four months in prison consecutive. For not having insurance, Bodkin was convicted and fined €500 and disqualified from driving for two years concurrent.
