A sentencing hearing for a former TD, who has admitted to driving under the influence of cocaine, has been adjourned until next month.
Colm Keaveney pleaded guilty to a charge of drug driving and to two other charges of driving without insurance at Tuam District Court in September.
The offences occurred on separate dates in 2023 and 2024.
The case was put back to allow for the completion of a probation report.
When it came before the court today, defence solicitor Gearóid Geraghty requested that the matter be further adjourned, as the judge familiar with the case was absent.
He said Judge James Faughnan had heard legal submissions in relation to the case and was also due to adjudicate on an issue relating to costs incurred, as a result of evidence given by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety.
Judge Michael Connellan acceded to the request and adjourned proceedings until 9 December for finalisation.
An earlier hearing was told how the former Galway East TD was stopped at a checkpoint in June 2023, where he failed a drug test. Subsequent analysis of a blood sample revealed the presence of cocaine.
In late July 2024, Keaveney was stopped on two separate occasions for failing to display a valid insurance disc.
The 54-year-old has completed a residential addiction treatment programme and is receiving aftercare.
Keaveney was elected as a Labour TD for Galway East in 2011 but later left the party and joined Fianna Fáil. He lost his Dáil seat in 2016 and went on to serve on Galway County Council.
He no longer holds elected office.
