Two-year ban for Templemore man who pleaded guilty to drink driving

A Templemore man has been banned from driving and ordered to pay a €1,000 fine at Thurles District Court.

Joe Bourke (63) of Clonmore, Templemore pleaded guilty to drink driving and careless driving on Church Street Templemore and the junction at The Mall, both on September 5, 2023.

Sergeant Tom Hanrahan told the court that on the day of the incident, gardaí observed the defendant driving erratically before failing to stop at a stop sign.

Gardaí stopped the vehicle and on speaking to Mr Bourke, formed the opinion that he was intoxicated.

He was arrested and taken to Thurles Garda Station, where he underwent a breath test.

The result of the test was 62 micrograms for 100ml of breath.

Sgt Hanrahan told the court that the defendant had no previous convictions.

Kenneth Kearns BL, acting for Mr Bourke, said that he understands that the court’s “hands are tied” in terms of a driving ban.

But he asked for “leniency” in terms of a deferment of the ban until August 1 to allow his client to conclude some business.

Sgt Hanrahan told the court the gardaí would not object in light of Mr Bourke’s guilty plea.

For the charge of drunk driving, Judge Catherine Hayden imposed a two-year driving ban and a €1,000 fine.

For the charge of careless driving, she imposed a two-year driving ban to run concurrently.

She deferred both bans until July 1, 2024.