A Letterkenny man with 95 previous convictions has been jailed for six months and banned from driving for ten years after being found driving twice in a two-week spell, while serving a separate ten-year driving ban.
Thomas Mongan was observed driving by Garda Hannigan on February 26, 2017 and by Garda Kelly on March 7, 2017.
Garda Kelly was aware that Mongan had been disqualified for ten years in 2015 and subsequently arrested the defendant.
Letterkenny District Court heard that Mr Mongan, the father of four children, ‘had a difficult past’ since being severely injured in an assault, but had what were described as ‘positive liaison’ with the probation service.
“He has no explanation, he knew that it was the wrong thing to do,” defending solicitor Frank Dorrian said.
“He has written a letter, addressed to the judge to apologise and he has said that he wasn’t thinking properly. He has been under the care of mental health services and has had some worrying times when he finds it hard to cope.”
Judge Paul Kelly said that he could not deal with the mater by way of a custodial sentence.
For the offences on February 26, Judge Kelly imposed 4 months imprisonment and an eight-year disqualification and a 4-month sentence with an eight-year disqualification.
The Judge imposed a six-month sentence and a ten-year disqualification and a six-month jail term with a ten-year disqualification for the offences on March 7.
All sentences are to run concurrently.