Hi °C | Lo °C A MAN who was caught drink driving for the fourth time “sneaking around country roads” has avoided a jail term.
However, he has been given a six months suspended sentence and disqualified from driving for 12 years.
Eric Hamilton with an address at Ford De Fyne, The Naul, Co Dublin pleaded guilty at Balbriggan District Court to drink driving and driving with no insurance on October 11th, 2012 at Balscadden in Balbriggan.
Garda Lucy Woods gave evidence that she stopped Hamilton on a country road on the way to The Naul late at night.
Defence solicitor Mr Donoch McGowan told the court that the 39-year-old “has turned over a new leaf” and has started back at college. He asked Judge Dermot Dempsey to give Hamilton “an opportunity” to prove himself.
Judge Dempsey remarked on hearing that it was Hamilton's fourth drink driving conviction “ what is he thinking getting behind a wheel with drink on him?”
“I cannot get my head around this. What if he knocked someone down or killed someone while sneaking around country roads drink driving?,” remarked Judge Dempsey.
“It's just stupid. What's to say he won't take a chance again at the weekend,” questioned Judge Dempsey.
He told Hamilton he is “on your last chance” and sentenced him to a six months sentence suspended for two years and disqualified him from driving for 12 years.
