Ireland Drink-driver given community service at Dundalk District Court
Vidmantas Lingis, a 41-year-old man, was charged with drink driving after an incident on Coe's Road, Dundalk, on 19 January 2022. He had been drinking earlier that day and was driving a van provided by his then employer, and he faced two further charges of driving without insurance or a driving licence, which were taken into consideration. After his case was adjourned for a community service suitability assessment, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Dundalk District Court in the week before 24 May 2023 to 220 hours of community service instead of a four-month sentence. He was also disqualified from driving for three years, though the sources name the judge differently.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced24 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Vidmantas Lingis, a 41-year-old man, was charged with drink driving, his second time over the legal limit.
- Where
- The offence occurred at Coe's Road, Dundalk, County Louth.
- When
- The offence occurred on 19 January 2022.
- Cause
- The defendant had been drinking earlier in the day, and the van he was driving was provided by his then employer.
- Charges
- Two further charges of driving without insurance or a driving licence were taken into consideration.
- In court
- The case was adjourned so the defendant's suitability for community service could be assessed.
- The court heard details of nine previous convictions, including for drunk driving.
- The defence solicitor said the defendant had no reasonable excuse.
- The probation report found the defendant suitable for community service.
- The judge said the defendant had been given every chance before and that his guilty plea was the only thing in his favour in this case.
- Sentence
- He was sentenced at Dundalk District Court in the week before 24 May 2023 to 220 hours of community service instead of a four-month sentence.
- He was disqualified from driving for three years, with the judge named as Judge Brennan in one source and Judge Eirinn McKiernan in the other.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe defendant was sentenced to 220 hours community service instead of a four month sentence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatThe defendant was caught over the legal limit for a second time. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereThe offence occurred at Coe's Road, Dundalk. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenThe offence occurred on January 19th of the previous year. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- causeThe defendant had been drinking earlier in the day and the van he was driving was provided by his then employer. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- chargeTwo remaining charges of driving without insurance or a driving licence were taken into consideration. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe case had previously been adjourned so the defendant's suitability for community service could be assessed. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe sitting heard details of nine previous convictions, including for drunk driving. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe defence solicitor said the defendant had no reasonable excuse. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe judge said the defendant had got every chance before and that his guilty plea was the only thing in his favour in this case. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe probation report found the defendant suitable for community service. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceJudge Brennan disqualified the defendant from driving for three years. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 24 May2023Dundalk Court: Community service for drink-driver
Reports the sentencing at Dundalk District Court of a drink-driver whose case had been adjourned so a community service suitability assessment could be carried out. The offence date is given as January 19th 'last year' relative to the May 2023 publication.
convicted, Vidmantas Lingis, 41, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Vidmantas Lingis