A disqualified driver who was caught drug-driving in Donegal has been told that he is “lucky” not to be going to prison.
Stephen Harmon was given a suspended prison sentence when he appeared at Falcarragh District Court on various road traffic charges.
Harmon was charged with offences including drug-driving, driving without insurance and failing to produce documents.
The 37-year-old tested positive for drugs when he was stopped at Madavagh, Lettermacaward, on January 24, 2024.
When conveyed to Glenties Garda Station, gardai found that a bench warrant was in existence. Officers were also alerted to the fact that Harmon, of Park Glen Grange, Rath, Drogheda, Co Louth was banned from driving at the time.
Sergeant Vincent Muldoon told the court that the drug specimens came back as positive. Harmon was described as being “very cooperative” by Sergeant Muldoon.
The court heard that this offence pre-dated another offence for which he was given a suspended sentence at a court in Cork last December.
Mr Patsy Gallagher, solicitor for Harmon, said his client, a father-of-two, is back “on the straight and narrow” again. He said Harmon has moved back to Drogheda and has taken on a “realisation” that has changed his life.
“He got involved in a group that is of great assistance and comfort,” Mr Gallagher said.
A reference from an employer was handed into the court and Mr Gallagher said Harmon has got over a “dark period” in his life.
“He accepts that he is on a very thin line and he has a suspended sentence hanging over him,” he said, adding that the accused has “made inroads” in dealing with his issues.
He asked Judge Éiteáin Cunningham to be as lenient as possible and said his client “seems to have turned a corner”.
Judge Cunningham told Harmon that his pattern of behaviour was something the court was “not impressed with at all”.
“He knew that he was disqualified and he was not just driving, he was under the influence of a drug,” Judge Cunningham said. “It is not acceptable and I find it serious. This is not a triggering offence (for the suspended sentence) and he is lucky it isn’t”.
For the charge of driving without insurance, Harmon was sentenced to five months in prison. The sentence was suspended for 18 months on condition that Harmon enter a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. Harmon was also disqualified from driving for four years and fined €200.
Harmon was handed a five-month prison sentence, also suspended for 18 months, on the drug-driving charge. A two-year driving ban was also marked on this charge to run concurrently with the four-year disqualification.
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