Prison awaits if probation fails

When police observed a vehicle travelling at 84 miles per hour in a 60 mph zone at Curr Road, Beragh, they tried to stop the driver but he failed to stop and attempted to give them the slip. However, when his vehicle was finally stopped police detected the smell of intoxicating liquor of the defendant's breath and subsequently discovered he had been drink driving. Further enquiries also discovered that he was a disqualified driver. He admitted the offences and co-operated fully with police.

Joseph Benedict Goodwin of 48 Aghinduff Park, Galbally, pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without the owner's consent, failing to stop for police, speeding, drink driving, and driving while disqualified, through his barrister, Gavan Wall.

The case had come before the court some weeks ago when a pre-sentence report on the defendant was ordered from Probation Service. Mr Wall said that the defendant had a clear record until 2005, but that since then he has 'significantly blotted his copy book.' He said that the defendant who had been in long-term employment is now on sickness benefit d as a result of a serious injury to his knee. Mr Wall pointed out that the report had flagged up anger issues and, alcohol issues and literacy issues in the defendant''s life. He said that the defendant knew the gravity of the position in which he found himself. He urged the RM to consider probation for the defendant.

RM Gregg McCourt observed that the defendant had a 'dreadful record' accrued over the past two years. He said that normally he would send someone in the defendant's position directly to jail,.

However, he said that he would give the defendant a last chance to address his problems. He sentenced the accused to two years probation, banned him from driving for 5 years, and imposed fines totalling £460. Mr McCourt warned him that if he failed to attend with probation or committed any further offences he would go to prison.