Banned driver caught with partner's car
A banned driver with seven prior convictions for having no insurance was caught when he "foolishly" took his partner's car on the road.
Brendan Farrell (47) was given a five-month suspended sentence and banned from driving for another 10 years at Blanchardstown District Court.
Farrell, a father-of two from Donomore Avenue, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to uninsured driving in the incident.
He also admitted driving while disqualified.
The court heard the offences happened at Mill Race Avenue, Saggart, on January 17 this year.
The accused had been given a seven-year ban in February 2011. His last offence dated from 2010.
Farrell has two young children and is not long married, his solicitor Jeremy Ring said.
At the time of the offence, he was "not in a good place" and made the "stupid decision" to drive his partner's car.
Judge David McHugh noted from reports that while the accused had suffered depression and a history of alcohol abuse, he had no history of "psychotic illness".
SPENT
"He was at a low point and he has tried to address the cause of that," Mr Ring told the judge.
Judge McHugh suspended the sentence for 18 months.
"I am considering his mitigation to be spent," the judge said.
"If he comes back before me within 18 months and is convicted he knows what he is most likely to face."