Drug driver a ‘significant danger to the public’

A man with 138 previous convictions pleaded guilty to drug driving at Nenagh District Court and was subsequently handed a custodial sentence and disqualified from driving for a period of 10 years.

Judge Marie Keane of Nenagh District Court said that Stephen Byrnes (33) of Ballygrennan, Ballynanty, Limerick had “no regard whatsoever for the Road Traffic Act” and “clearly represents a significant danger to the public”.

The court heard how on July 9 last year, Mr Byrnes was found to be in possession of €225 worth of cannabis and €100 worth of cocaine after he was conveyed to Nenagh Garda Station. He was stopped at Gaulross, Borrisokane, after gardaí received a MPR alert - it was discovered that Mr Byrnes was driving while disqualified.

Mr Byrnes was arrested and a sample of his blood was subsequently taken.

This sample tested positive for cocaine and cannabis at a reading higher than the legal limit for driving. The sample also showed that benzodiazepines were present in his system.

He had 138 previous convictions, around 70 of which were under the Road Traffic Act. He had been serving a custodial sentence since October and was not due for release until March of 2028.

Judge Keane sentenced him to a total of 10 months in prison, consecutive to the order imposed last October, and banned him from driving for 10 years.