Ireland Man fined and banned for refusing breath sample in Longford
On 6 December 2022 at about 12:02am, gardaí on patrol in County Longford saw a Ford Fiesta being driven at speed and all over the road. The driver, Seamus Donoghue (60) of Grousehall, Loughduff, was arrested, taken to Longford Garda Station and charged with failing to provide a sample of breath under section 12 of the Road Traffic Act. He pleaded guilty at Longford District Court, where the judge registered a conviction, imposed a €400 fine payable within four months and disqualified him from driving for four years, as reported on 22 July 2023.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced20 Jul
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí on patrol saw a Ford Fiesta driving at speed and all over the road.
- The car turned down a side road without using its indicator.
- When
- The incident happened on 6 December 2022 at about 12:02am.
- Where
- The incident took place in County Longford, and the driver was taken to Longford Garda Station.
- Investigation
- Gardaí noted a strong smell of alcohol and slurred speech in the driver.
- The driver was arrested and taken to Longford Garda Station.
- Other details
- The driver refused to give a breath specimen.
- The prosecution said he had five previous convictions, described as historic in nature.
- His solicitor said he was in denial at the time of the refusal and is very sorry for his actions.
- Charges
- Seamus Donoghue was charged with failing to provide a sample of breath under section 12 of the Road Traffic Act.
- In court
- His solicitor, Frank Gearty, said he was pleading guilty to the offence at Longford District Court.
- The sentencing was reported by the Longford Leader on 22 July 2023, while the tracker lists it as 20 July 2023.
- Sentence
- The judge registered a conviction and imposed a €400 fine with four months to pay.
- He was disqualified from driving for four years.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí on patrol saw a Ford Fiesta driving at speed. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe car was all over the road and turned down a side road without using its indicator. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe driver refused to give a breath specimen. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 6 December 2022 at about 12:02am. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí noted a strong smell of alcohol and slurred speech in the driver. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationThe driver was arrested and taken to Longford Garda Station. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with failing to provide a sample of breath under section 12 of the Road Traffic Act. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtHis solicitor said he was pleading guilty to the offence. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe judge registered a conviction and imposed a €400 fine with four months to pay. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceHe was disqualified from driving for four years. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe prosecution said he had five previous convictions, described as historic in nature. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherHis solicitor said he was in denial at the time of the refusal and is very sorry for his actions. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Jul2023Longford District Court: Fine and ban for refusing to give sample
Court report of the sentencing. Adds the charge, the plea of guilty, the fine, the four-year disqualification and the defendant's previous convictions. The article does not mention any existing case in the list.
convicted, Seamus Donoghue, 60, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seamus Donoghue