Road traffic record ‘may be the worst I’ve come across’, says Kildare judge

A Naas District Court judge said that one man’s road traffic conviction record may be the worst he has ever seen.

Judge Desmond Zaidan made the comments at the courthouse on Thursday, February 16, in relation to Michael Lynch, with an address listed as 442 Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, County Dublin.

It was heard that on March 19 last, the 38-year-old was caught driving while drunk and driving dangerously at Bride Street in Kildare town.

Gardaí told Judge Zaidan that Mr Lynch had a total of 162 previous convictions, which included 35 convictions for road traffic offences.

Other convictions he has relate to robbery, drunk-driving, theft, assault causing harm and false imprisonment offences.

It was also heard that he had been serving a 30-year driving disqualification (DQ).

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After being informed of Mr Lynch’s record, the judge remarked: "I think this may be the worst record for road-traffic convictions I have ever come across."

He then asked Mr Lynch why he was behaving this way, to which Mr Lynch replied: "Lots of things growing up; it just spiralled out of control. I am trying to turn a corner now," he added.

Defending solicitor Seamus Boyle also told the judge that his client’s behaviour 'was disgraceful,' he has been taking part in a drink-awareness programme.

Judge Zaidan said that he would impose a ten-month custodial sentence on Mr Lynch: five months for the dangerous driving offence and five-months for the drink-driving offence.

He also imposed a 15-year driving ban on Mr Lynch, which will run concurrent to his current DQ.