A CONVOY man has been handed a four-year driving ban after ‘pleading the fifth’ when apprehended by Gardaí.
On July 1, 2020, Gardaí observed a blue Nissan jeep parked at Town Parks in Convoy.
Officers knew the owner, Patrick McDermott, to have been disqualified. When the jeep moved off, Gardaí activated the blue lights and pursued it.
McDermott, of Town Parks, attempted to hide the keys of the vehicle.
After his arrest, McDermott refused to provide a breath, blood or urine sample to Gardaí.
“He said he was pleading the fifth,” Sergeant Jim Collins told Letterkenny District Court. “There was no co-operation in any way.”
McDermott was charged with driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, of having no driving licence, of having no valid NCT, of failing to produce his driving licence and two charges of failing to comply while in Letterkenny Garda Station.
Solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher said his client was ‘dealing with demons as best he can’.
On a charge of driving while disqualified, Judge Paul Kelly imposed a fine of €250, giving six months to pay, and issued a four-year disqualification.
On the charge of driving without insurance, McDermott was fined €250 and disqualified for two years, to run concurrent to the other penalty.
The other charges were struck out.