Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 15837Drink driving · Co. Kildare · 31 Dec 2019

Kildare man given four-year driving ban for drink-driving

Leigh Hughes, a 38-year-old man living in Kildare town, was prosecuted for driving without insurance on The Curragh on 5 May 2019. On 31 December 2019 he was caught driving under the influence of alcohol at Dunmurray Rise, Kildare town, and a later blood sample confirmed alcohol in his system; a charge of dangerous driving was withdrawn by the State. On Thursday 10 October 2024, Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court convicted him, imposed no fine and a four-year driving disqualification, with endorsement to follow.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced11 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Leigh Hughes, a 38-year-old man, was caught driving under the influence of alcohol.
Where
The drink-driving offence took place at Dunmurray Rise, Kildare town.
When
The drink-driving offence took place on 31 December 2019.
Investigation
A blood sample taken from Mr Hughes later confirmed alcohol in his system at the time of the offence.
Charges
  • A charge of dangerous driving was withdrawn by the State.
  • He was also prosecuted for driving without insurance on The Curragh on 5 May 2019.
In court
He was convicted by Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court on Thursday 10 October 2024.
Sentence
  • The judge said he would not impose any fines on Mr Hughes.
  • The judge imposed a four-year driving disqualification, with endorsement to follow.
Other details
Gardaí told the court Mr Hughes has 13 previous convictions.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereMr Hughes was caught driving under the influence of alcohol at Dunmurray Rise, Kildare town. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe drink-driving offence took place on 31 December 2019. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationA blood sample taken from Mr Hughes later confirmed alcohol in his system at the time of the offence. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeA charge of dangerous driving was withdrawn by the State. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeHe was also prosecuted for driving without insurance on The Curragh on 5 May 2019. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtMr Hughes was convicted by Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court on Thursday 10 October 2024. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceThe judge said he would not impose any fines on Mr Hughes. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a four-year driving disqualification, with endorsement to follow. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherGardaí told the court Mr Hughes has 13 previous convictions. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Oct2024
    Sentencedkildarenow.com, first report
    Kildare court: Man who drove while drunk on New Year’s Eve gets four-year driving ban

    Reports the court outcome: conviction at Naas District Court, a four-year driving disqualification with no fine, the location and date of the offence, and the previous convictions the court was told about.

    convicted, Leigh Hughes, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Leigh Hughes