Judge David Anderson has said he won’t make up his mind yet whether to jail a Mullingar man who pleaded guilty to his third drink driving offence.
Glen Lee of Belville Apartments, Old Longford Road, Mullingar also pleaded guilty to having no insurance or driver’s licence on the Delvin Road on November 19, 2010 when he was stopped by gardaí.
However the court heard that he is someone who has difficult issues to deal with and his solicitor Ms Brid Mimnagh said the court could normally expect more from someone of his age.
She said her client is one of three brothers who lost their parents very suddenly about 10 years ago when both contracted cancer within a couple of weeks. There was a question over whether he had really understood the consequences of driving while disqualified, she said, but insisted that he is now aware of those consequences.
A pleasant person and a very proficient musician who does voluntary work with young people, he has been taken under the wing of his uncle and he won’t be driving again.
On the night when he returned a breath alcohol reading of 44mg/100ml, he had been driving his girlfriend’s car after she became concerned for its safety while they were out for a drink. He hasn’t been in trouble otherwise, she said and pointed out that he comes from a very good family.
Judge David Anderson agreed to order a probation report which would consider the possibility of community service.
However, he said he would not commit himself to not jailing Lee when the case is before the court again on April 28.
