Kildare court: Man convicted for refusing to give sample to gardaí

A Dublin resident was handed down a custodial sentence for refusing to provide a urine or breath sample to gardaí.

Joseph Carroll, with an address listed as 16 Bawnlea Avenue in Tallaght, Dublin 24, but who is currently in custody on other matters, was convicted for the offence by Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court on Thursday, April 20.

It was heard that the 44-year-old, who appeared via video-link, committed the offence on May 1, 2018, in Humphreystown, Blessington in County Wicklow.

Mr Carroll was suspected of drink-driving at the time by gardaí, and that he was also caught driving without insurance or a licence.

He pleaded guilty to the offences.

It was heard that he was involved in a road traffic collision and had to be hospitalised for his injuries.

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The judge was told that Mr Carroll has 23 previous convictions, ten of which were for road traffic offences.

Defending barrister Donncha Craddock said that his client was very apologetic for his actions and is attending a detox programme in prison, where he has a job as a kitchen worker.

However, Judge Zaidan ultimately decided to impose a five-month sentence for the refusal, and two other five-month sentences for dangerous driving and for driving with no insurance.

These sentences will run consecutively, and he is due for release in 2026 for his other sentence.

The judge also imposed a six-year driving ban on Mr Carroll.