Former TD Colm Keaveney has been banned from driving for four years after refusing to provide a blood or urine sample to gardaí following a late-night road incident in Boyle, Co Roscommon.
The former Labour TD for Galway East, who later joined Fianna Fáil, lost his Dáil seat in 2016 but returned to politics in 2019 when he was elected to Galway County Council.
Mr Keaveney (54), of Milltown Road, Tuam, Co Galway, appeared before Judge Sandra Murphy at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on 22 July, where he pleaded guilty to two charges: failing to provide a specimen under Section 12 of the Road Traffic Act, and failing to stop after a collision under Section 106.
The incident occurred on 11 October last year when gardaí observed a Ford Focus being driven without lights through Boyle.
The car veered to the wrong side of the road before colliding with a white vehicle that was waiting at a junction.
The State solicitor told the court that the driver, identified as Mr Keaveney, did not stop after the collision and continued driving before eventually pulling over on St Patrick Street.
When approached by gardaí, the court heard Mr Keaveney was unsteady on his feet, had glassy eyes, and smelled of alcohol.
He was arrested and taken to Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station, where he refused to provide a blood or urine sample to a designated doctor, despite a formal demand.
His solicitor told the court that Mr Keaveney had no previous convictions and had been dealing with significant personal difficulties, including the recent loss of both parents.
He also suffered from chronic back pain due to previous spinal surgery and had requested to see his own doctor at the garda station, which was not possible. He has three children, two adult and one infant.
"Mr Keaveney is not the sort of person you would expect to see before the court," she said, noting his cooperation and the absence of any previous convictions.
Judge Murphy imposed a €250 fine and a four-year disqualification from driving.
Several other charges, including no insurance and no licence, were struck out after valid documentation was provided.
Mr Keaveney was charged on 11 June 2024 with driving under the influence of drugs, relating to an alleged incident on 12 June, 2023.
