This article is from page 20 of the 2013-07-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
A STUDENT who pleaded guilty to drink driving an ambulance he took unlawfully while it was on a call out in Kilkee, and being in possession of a steak knife at the time, has been suspended from driving for three years, fined € 250 and given a total of 200 hours community service in lieu of a prison sentence at Kilrush District Court.
Conor Hannon (21) of 102 Sycamore Drive, Rathbane, Limerick was ordered to carry out 100 hours community work in lieu of a three month prison sentence for being in possession of a fire arm – a black handle steak knife.
He was handed a further 100 hours community work in lieu of another three month prison sentence for unlawfully taking the HSE ambulance contrary to Section 112 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, which is to run consecutively to the first sentence.
He was also fined € 250 and dis- qualified from driving for three years under the drink driving charge.
The court heard that gardaí were called to Victoria Terrace, Dough, Kilkee on May 6, 2013 at 2.30am by the ambulance service who were caring for a patient who had fallen and hurt his head.
A highly intoxicated Mr Hannon got into the ambulance and drove it forward a “few feet” before he was removed by ambulance personnel.
Garda Conor Flaherty gave evidence that as Mr Hannon was being removed to the Garda van a knife was found on him.
The garda added that the second year tourism student had been very apologetic the following day.
Defence solicitor Michael Ryan said that it was an indication of his client’s character that there was no element of violence on the night even though he was highly intoxicated, and that he had no recollection of the knife.
“He does feel that his drink was spiked on the night. We are not of- fering that as an excuse,” he added.
“When he got into the seat he put on the belt.
“That is an indication of the intoxication,” said Mr Ryan.
In sentencing Mr Hannon Judge Patrick Durcan said;
“In my view there is only one way to deal with that and put the message out loud and clear.”
The judge said that in his opinion “Someone who works for the ambulance service does a critically important job and if you turn on your radio and listen to Miriam O’Callaghan, Pat Kenny or better still, ‘Joe Duffy in the afternoon’, you will hear people without doubt complaining ‘the ambulance didn’t arrive on time’.
“Into this mix, you have Mr Hannon, filled to the gills with drink and he interferes with the ambulance service.”
The judge then issued the sentence suspending Mr Hannon from driving for three years, fining him € 250 and giving him a total of 200 hours community service