Judge not happy with Cork driver's claim that three ciders didn't impair driving

A District Judge was not happy with the claim made by a man facing sentencing for multiple dangerous driving and public order offences that three bottles of cider did not impair his driving.

A probation report was presented to Cork District Court today in respect of 45-year-old Gerard Walsh of 72 Bakers Road, Gurranabraher, Cork.

Judge Mary Dorgan said: “I’m not happy with it.” 

She said Mr Walsh told the probation officer he felt hard done by in the manner in which gardaí dealt with him. 

The officer asked him if he felt like that, why did he plead guilty and he replied: “What is the point of pleading not guilty?”

 Judge Dorgan said: “He feels hard done by after his three bottles of cider and he gets into a car – Ah now.” 

The judge went on to comment that this was a man who refused to give his name and address and had to be handcuffed.

Judge Dorgan added: “He drinks three bottles of cider. He said his friends made him drive the car and that he may have gone over a white line. I don’t know what planet he is on that makes him think that is fine.” 

He faces sentencing in respect of two incidents, one where he faces three counts of dangerous driving at Shean Lower, Killard and Boreen Glass and a charge of engaging in threatening behaviour on February 25 2022 arising out of incidents where gardaí received numerous calls about a silver Avensis car in the Waterloo area travelling in the direction of Blarney. 

The second incident involved a number of public order offences – again including engaging in threatening behaviour – on August 21 2023 at Cook Street, Cork.

Aoife Buttimer, solicitor, said the accused accepted responsibility and was awaiting significant surgery at the moment.

Judge Dorgan said she would put sentencing back until November and in the meantime would require three supervised urine tests from the accused, in August, September and October.