Sentence and driving ban imposed on Kildare man for offence in Robertstown

A Robertstown resident was sentenced and disqualified for driving while under the influence of alcohol.

John Coyne (Junior), with an address listed as 23 Grove Heights at Robertstown, was convicted for the offence when he appeared before Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court on Thursday, March 9.

The 30-year-old is serving a custodial sentence at present in relation to other matters.

The judge was told by gardaí that on May 28, 2021, that Mr Coyne was discovered driving while drunk at Grove Heights.

Gardaí said that Mr Coyne was disqualified from driving for two years at the time of the offence.

He was also found to be driving with no insurance.

Defending solicitor Tim Kennelly said that Mr Coyne admitted to the offences to gardaí.

It was heard that Mr Coyne has 15 previous convictions, including three previous ones for driving without insurance.

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DEFENCE

Mr Kennelly asked Judge Zaidan 'to provide Mr Coyne with some light at the end of the tunnel.'

He said that his client struggles with an alcohol addiction, and wishes to address it while in custody.

Mr Kennelly added: "He has taken a very pragmatic approach to this case.

"John’s biggest issue is alcohol; it’s only when he drinks that he finds himself in trouble."

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VERDICT

After consideration, Judge Zaidan said that Mr Kennelly 'convinced' him to be lenient with Mr Coyne, and sentenced him to five months in custody, to be backdated to when he first entered custody on February 9 last.

The judge also imposed a four-year driving ban on Mr Coyne for the no insurance offence, as well as a one-year ban for the drink-driving offence.

The latter ban will run concurrent to the first one.