A garda has been convicted on a drink-driving charge in Roscommon. Garda Thomas Nangle was fined £250 and banned from driving for two years by Judge Michael Connellan at Roscommon District Court for having excess alcohol in his urine.
He was fined a further £150 for having no tax on his car when stopped at Ballyleague, Co Roscommon, on April 13th. A further summons for giving a false address was dismissed. Sgt Patrick Finlay, of Roscommon Garda Station, told the court he observed Garda Nangle driving his car on the incorrect side of the road around a 200-yard bend. He brought him to Longford Garda Station.
Asked for his correct address, Garda Nangle replied: "It's good enough for you." When told that Garda Nangle, who was not present in court, had not worked since last January and had been suspended from duty and was being paid a "suspension allowance", Judge Connellan allowed five months for the payment of the fines.