A disqualified driver who was caught behind the wheel carrying drugs just a month after being banned for four years has been spared jail.
Liam Devoy (23), of Mac Uilliam Way, Fortunestown, Tallaght, Dublin 24, was sentenced at Tallaght District Court after pleading guilty to a series of road traffic and drug offences stemming from an incident in July 2023.
Judge Patricia McNamara imposed a five-month prison sentence, suspended for two years on condition that Devoy does not drive or be in control of a vehicle during that time. He was also disqualified from driving for a further five years and fined €500, to be paid within five months.
The court heard Devoy had been convicted and disqualified from driving for four years in June 2023. Just one month later, on July 7, 2023, gardaí stopped him driving a Volkswagen Golf on the N81 Tallaght Bypass at around 4.20pm.
He was still disqualified at the time and had no licence on him. A search of the car uncovered small amounts of cannabis and cocaine. Devoy was arrested and brought to a Garda station, where a blood sample was taken. He was later charged and made no reply when cautioned.
Devoy was charged with driving without insurance, dangerous driving, and possession of drugs, including cannabis and cocaine. The offences were prosecuted under the Road Traffic Acts and the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The court heard Devoy has 17 previous convictions, including three for having no insurance. This was his fourth offence for that charge.
Defence counsel Ciara Ní Ghabhann BL said her client is a warehouse operative who has been in steady employment for the past year and is expecting his first child next month. She said he was immature at the time and had not appreciated the seriousness of his actions, but was now in a stable relationship and making efforts to turn his life around.
“He’s a young man, pleasant and polite, but was not taking these matters seriously until now,” Ms Ní Ghabhann said.
Judge McNamara described the situation as “terrible,” stressing the fact that Devoy had only just been disqualified when he was caught offending again.
“If you are caught driving in the next two years, you will be arrested straight away and you can go to prison for five months,” Judge McNamara warned.
“You’re a young man – if you want to drive in this country, do it legitimately and abide by the rules,” she said.