This article is from page 12 of the 2006-07-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
A COURT has heard that gardaí were astonished that no-one was injured, as a result of the erratic driving of a drunk man.
Nigerian native Clement Odeh, with an address at Westwood, Ennis, pleaded guilty to two charges of dangerous driving and one charge of drink driving, arising out of an incident in Ennis on the evening of May 16 last.
Garda Francis Corey told Ennis District Court the accused drove towards Ennis, from the Lahinch Road direction.
He turned left at the Maid of Erin roundabout, before crossing a continuous white line in the direction of a Mercedes car, before he pulled back in.
Odeh continued driving, turned left at Shiel’s garage and towards the junction leading to Lee’s Road. He lost control of his car at one stage.
“All of the time a member of the public was following him and at the same time was on the phone to the Garda station,” said Gda Corey.
The garda arrived on the scene and asked Odeh to get out of the car.
“His driving was very bad… He staggered out of the car. He was very drunk,” said the garda.
He said the erratic manner in which the accused drove, and not the speed, was the issue.
Inspector Tom Kennedy said this was a ‘really bad case of driving.’
“He was very heavily intoxicated. It was a mystery he didn’t hit another car or person,” he said.
“I am astonished by the seriousness of this. He is facing two charges of dangerous driving. He could possibly be facing more charges,” added the inspector.
Analysis of a sample of breath produced by the defendant showed a concentration of 90 mgms of alcohol.
Defending solicitor William Cahir said his client, a father-of-two, moved to Ireland in 2004.
“He accepts he was heavily intoxicated. He accepts the manner in which he was driving was dangerous to the public. There was no mention of excessive speed,” said Mr Cahir.
Judge Mangan adjourned the case for three months, and ordered that a probation report be compiled.
“I don’t want him driving between now and the time this comes back to court,” said the judge. He agreed to a request by Mr Cahir to allow the ban to take effect on August 5.