Judge agrees to suspend two year disqualification

A MAN who came to Ireland with his family at the start of war in Ukraine was disqualified from driving for two years for drink driving.

Vasyl Shepetiuk (50), with an address of Citywest Hotel, Dublin, appeared before Blanchardstown District Court, pleading guilty to road traffic charges.

The court heard that gardai pulled over a car driven by Mr Shepetiuk on the N7 in Citywest.

A breath test was provided to gardai and led to a result of 63 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

Defence solicitor Ciaran MacLoughlin said his client moved to Ireland as a refugee at the start of the war in Ukraine, has four kids, and works as a greenkeeper.

Mr MacLoughlin said his client’s job is in jeopardy if he loses his licence, requesting a suspension of five months for a disqualification for Mr Shepetiuk to “get his house in order” considering his financial situation and family.

Judge Áine Shannon agreed to suspend the penalty for five months until April 12, 2026 when a two-year disqualification takes effect.

Judge Shannon also fined Shepetiuk €200 with 12 months to pay.

Funded by the Local Courts Reporting Scheme