Driver refused to give breath sample jailed for six months
By Brendan Grehan
A DRIVER who refused to give a breath sample has been jailed for six months by Blanchardstown District Court.
Judge David McHugh also banned Paul Curtis from driving for five years. Garda Adam Swan told Judge McHugh that on December 12, 2017, he had been on patrol on the Outer Ring Road in Clondalkin when he saw a Citroen Xsara car driving erratically.
Blanchardstown District Court
He said he stopped the car and arrested the driver, Curtis, on suspicion of drunken driving.
He said Curtis was taken to Ballyfermot Garda Station where Curtis refused to give a breath sample.
Garda Swan said Curtis also had no insurance and no driving licence.
Curtis, aged 54, with an address at Swiftwood Avenue, Saggart, pleaded guilty to having no insurance and driving licence at the Outer Ring Road, Clondalkin, on December 12, 2017.
He also pleaded guilty to refusing to give a breath sample at Ballyfermot Garda Station also on December 12 last.
Sergeant Geraldine McManigan told Judge McHugh that Curtis has two previous convictions for no insurance and one for drunken driving.
Curtis’ solicitor, Terry Hanahoe, said his client is currently in custody, serving a sentence.
He said Curtis had pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity.
Judge McHugh sentenced Curtis to six months jail with a four-year driving ban for the refusal charge.
He also fined him €500 and imposed a five-year ban for having no insurance.
The no driving licence was taken into consideration.
