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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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File photograph: The case was heard on Thursday, February 15 last.
A Naas man was sentenced to serve 17 months in prison, and was also banned from driving for the next four years.
Judge Desmond Zaidan imposed the sentence on Sayed Rahman, of Slí na Ríogh, Kilcullen Road in Naas, but who is remanded in custody, while sitting at Naas District Court on Thursday, February 15 last.
Gardaí explained to the judge that on July 23, 2021, they caught the 20-year-old driving while under the influence of cannabis.
He proceeded to drive through a garda checkpoint in County Kildare.
This resulted in a brief car chase.
It was also heard that he committed three hit and run offences by hitting into three cars.
Mr Rahman was also being prosecuted for four separate incidents in which he was caught being in possession of small quantities of cannabis.
Defending barrister Mark Gibbons told the judge that while his client 'has a regrettable accumulation of offences,' he added that his client no longer uses cannabis.
Mr Gibbons also said that his client has lived in ireland since he was nine-years-old, and was 18 at the time of the offences.
He added that his client 'comes from a strict Muslim background', and that his parents were 'very unhappy' when they found out about the offences he had committed.
Gardaí told the court that Mr Rahman has one post-conviction from 2022 for a separate drug driving offence.
Speaking directly to Mr Rahman, Judge Zaidan said: "This is awful behaviour... absolute madness."
He also posed the following rhetorical question to Mr Rahman: "What would happen if you appeared before a court in Bangladesh (Mr Rahman's home country) for the same charges? I know what would happen, you wouldn’t be getting a slap on the wrist."
The judge also asked him: "Do you see any other outcome other than you going to jail?"
When Mr Rahman replied with 'No' the judge said: "Neither do I."
The judge imposed a total of 17-months in custody on Mr Rahman, and disqualified from driving for four years.
He also set appeal for Mr Rahman at €500.
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