Judge gives farmer time to find ‘nice woman’ before driving ban

Timberrrrrrrr

That's right, you did read the headline correctly!

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/district-court/judge-gives-farmer-time-to-find-nice-woman-before-driving-ban-1.2678677

A bachelor farmer from an isolated part of Co Kerry will not be put off the road for drink driving until December so he can get his affairs in order, a court has ruled.
In the meantime, John O’Shea (60) is to try find “a nice woman” at the Lisdoonvarna matchmaking festival to drive him around, the court heard.

****ing disgraceful of the judge to even entertain this, he should be sacked immediately :mad:

plopflop

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

****ing disgraceful of the judge to even entertain this, he should be sacked immediately :mad:

Yep, women are terrible drivers.

Fair play to the judge.

Duggy747

Sounds like the plot to an American "comedy" movie about Irish people.

beach_walker

I hope he does find a good woman. One who'll put manners on him and then no more drink driving. Problem solved.

fepper

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

That's right, you did read the headline correctly!

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/district-court/judge-gives-farmer-time-to-find-nice-woman-before-driving-ban-1.2678677



****ing disgraceful of the judge to even entertain this, he should be sacked immediately :mad:

Lighten up!!

cson

If you wanted a snapshot of exactly what's wrong with this country then there you have it.

Genuinely thought that was a Waterford Whispers article when I first saw it.

Lia_lia

Doesn't this kind of thing happen often though? I'm sure my brother's friend was allowed to hold off his driving ban for drink driving until he finished college. Was probably the same judge mind..

lawlolawl

Duggy747 wrote: »

Sounds like the plot to an American "comedy" movie about Irish people.

"This summer, Paddy O Bogbollocks is going to discover the true meaning of love"

The_Valeyard

lawlolawl wrote: »

"This summer, Paddy O Bogbollocks is going to discover the true meaning of love"

Starring Rob Schneider

Harry Palmr

This reads like a plot strand from a John B Keane novel.

Its going to be featured on Pat Kennys Newstalk programme this morning.

Timberrrrrrrr

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

That's right, you did read the headline correctly!

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/district-court/judge-gives-farmer-time-to-find-nice-woman-before-driving-ban-1.2678677

****ing disgraceful of the judge to even entertain this, he should be sacked immediately :mad:

Pssssst....it's a joke.

You know, humour.

The Judge is well known for it.

Anyone who takes it seriously would possibly want to have a look at themselves first, and their inability to discern the reasons for a decision and a joke.

fepper

These people crave social interaction otherwise they'd turn into raving lunatics and god knows what they'd do otherwise

Pat Mustard

Lia_lia wrote: »

Doesn't this kind of thing happen often though? I'm sure my brother's friend was allowed to hold off his driving ban for drink driving until he finished college. Was probably the same judge mind..

It happens. It can take time for a person to adjust their life to being disqualified from driving. For people who live in rural areas, this can create difficulties which may have a less profound effect on urban dwellers.

A court has the power to postpone a disqualification order for a period of up to six months, provided that there is a special reason is given.

I see from the article that the following reasons were given by the defending solicitor:

Without transport his client would be at a great disadvantage in that area, Mr O’Dwyer replied.

...

Being off the road would make it difficult for O’Shea to care for his cows and he would have to make arrangements to get rid of them, Mr O’Dwyer said.

It's difficult to see the context of the remarks about finding a woman without having been there but it is possible that a lot of what is quoted in the article may have amounted to banter.

I see that the judge's comments drew criticism:

The decision drew swift condemnation from the Irish Road Victim’s Association.
“What planet is this judge living on?” its chairwoman Donna Rice asked.
“For a judge to give a priority to the care of cows over the protection of our families and children going about their daily business shows how out of touch he is with the reality faced by the hundred of families left with seriously injured loved ones, and family members killed, by drunk drivers,” she said.

What happened was that the order was postponed so that the man could put his affairs in order. The disqualification order would still take effect after that, so it isn't as if the man avoided sanction.

iguana

Bear in mind that this is Kerry where local politicians moved to have drink driving laws not apply to rural farmers, so they could get home after a night in the pub.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/healyrae-drinkdrive-permit-plea-is-rejected-29024545.html

Pat Mustard

Pat Mustard wrote: »

It's difficult to see the context of the remarks about finding a woman without having been there but it is possible that a lot of what is quoted in the article may have amounted to banter...

Seriously?

It was so obviously banter it hardly needs to be said.

Except to the OP.

Anne Lucey is an independent journo, she will pick up on the Judge's more colourful remarks to get her pieces into papers. It happens all the time. She does not purport to give a legal analysis of the ratio deciedendi.

I can't believe sentient adults needs this set out to them. Jesus folks, come on!

eeguy

Pat Mustard wrote: »

What happened was that the order was postponed so that the man could put his affairs in order. The disqualification order would still take effect after that, so it isn't as if the man avoided sanction.

It's still a total joke that you can legal drive home after being banned from driving.

flutered

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

That's right, you did read the headline correctly!

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/district-court/judge-gives-farmer-time-to-find-nice-woman-before-driving-ban-1.2678677



****ing disgraceful of the judge to even entertain this, he should be sacked immediately :mad:

similar to the people who had their connections within the gards and were never summonsed

eeguy

eeguy wrote: »

It's still a total joke that you can legal drive home after being banned from driving.

Well then get on to your TD to change the law, which provides for the postponement of a disqualification.

It's very standard to give them. The reason not be that great at all. Just "need to arrange alternative transport" is enough, this fellow actually gave a reason.

namloc1980

Epic bantz in fairness...

Pat Mustard

Deleted User wrote: »

Seriously?

It was so obviously banter it hardly needs to be said.

This was discussed on the radio this morning as if the 'special reason' for postponement was that so the man could find a woman.

Some people have/had not realised that the judge was not being serious when he said that.

the groutch

just from the title I knew it would be down in HealyRae country, it's unreal how out of touch with reality they are.

Pat Mustard

the groutch wrote: »

just from the title I knew it would be down in HealyRae country, it's unreal how out of touch with reality they are.

Why?

The order was postponed for six months. This happens all over the country.

osarusan

Oooooooooooooooooooh Lisdoonvarna
A-Lisdoon
Lisdoon
Lisdoon
LisdoonvarNA.

Pat Mustard

Pat Mustard wrote: »

This was discussed on the radio this morning as if the 'special reason' for postponement was that so the man could find a woman.

Some people have/had not realised that the judge was not being serious when he said that.

:D

You can really only laugh. Did anyone even point out that postponements are granted all the time for no reason other than the accused pleaded guilty? They do not reduce the disqualification by one day.

The ignorance of legal matters in this country can sometimes be breathtaking. People won't talk about the sciences or other disciplines but everyone wades right into legal stuff without the first clue of the issues, without even apparently the ability to tell a joke. Is it the same in the science world, when a scientist jokes, does everyone take notes thinking its part of the experiment?

log.lady

I get that it can be difficult to get around in rural areas but this doesn't mean that drink driving is ever ok. This man didn't just have 2 pints in his local pub but was way over the limit and there have to be repercussions for this. I hope he will stay off the drink until December and that we won't hear an update story on this with more tragic outcome in a few months time

flutered

the groutch wrote: »

just from the title I knew it would be down in HealyRae country, it's unreal how out of touch with reality they are.

how many convictions in ireland each year has the term suspended so as to get their affairs in order

Pat Mustard

Deleted User wrote: »

:D

You can really only laugh. Did anyone even point out that postponements are granted all the time for no reason other than the accused pleaded guilty? They do not reduce the disqualification by one day.

The ignorance of legal matters in this country can sometimes be breathtaking. People won't talk about the sciences or other disciplines but everyone wades right into legal stuff without the first clue of the issues, without even apparently the ability to tell a joke. Is it the same in the science world, when a scientist jokes, does everyone take notes thinking its part of the experiment?

It's a disgrace, Joe

fepper

The headline BATCHELOR FARMER is so demeaning as if he is some type of backward gombeen,I hate that of rubbish writing

Timberrrrrrrr

fepper wrote: »

The headline BATCHELOR FARMER is so demeaning as if he is some type of backward gombeen,I hate that of rubbish writing

If he thinks it's OK to drink and drive then he is a backwards gombeen

ThisRegard

Deleted User wrote: »

Pssssst....it's a joke.

You know, humour.

The Judge is well known for it.

Anyone who takes it seriously would possibly want to have a look at themselves first, and their inability to discern the reasons for a decision and a joke.

We'll see how much of a joke it is if the guy gets pissed so he's again 4 times over the limit and kills someone next time, instead of serving a 2 or 3 year old ban like he should have been.

Judges should sentence a person based on the crime they committed, not where they bloody live. Oh, you live in a rural area, that's terrible that is, I'll just suspend your sentence. And you over there sonny living in the big city with your fancy buses and taxis, off to prison you go.

The only joke in this story is the judge.

The Sidewards Man

Pat Mustard wrote: »

Some people have/had not realised that the judge was not being serious when he said that.

Does the judge get paid to be a comedian too?

Redbishop

fepper wrote: »

The headline BATCHELOR FARMER is so demeaning as if he is some type of backward gombeen,I hate that of rubbish writing

Yea, and makes assumptions on his sexuality, he may be gay and need to "find a good man"!
Btw can sheep drive?

flutered

eeguy wrote: »

It's still a total joke that you can legal drive home after being banned from driving.

he is not banned until december, if high profile bankers can have their case but back for a long period of time, so as it is somewhat eareased from peoples memorys, then surely a 60 year old living alone in a rural part of ireland is entitled to a little less

ThisRegard

flutered wrote: »

he is not banned until december, if high profile bankers can have their case but back for a long period of time, so as it is somewhat eareased from peoples memorys, then surely a 60 year old living alone in a rural part of ireland is entitled to a little less

A 'banker' is not likely to get a job in another bank in the interim and bring it down. A drunk driver, one that was 4 times over the limit, is liable to do it again.

Your Face

Well I can see there is no minorities to defend around here.
*flies away heroically*

Atlantic Dawn

Four times the limit and the 2nd time he was caught, wonder how many times he has been slaughtered pissed and not caught?

fepper

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

If he thinks it's OK to drink and drive then he is a backwards gombeen

Solicitors have been caught drink driving and put off the road too

ThisRegard

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Four times the limit and the 2nd time he was caught, wonder how many times he has been slaughtered pissed and not caught?

Ah shure there's nothing to worry about from now on, he's obviously learned his lesson after the second time in getting caught, so why not leave him on the road for another 6 month the poor little lonely rural cratur.

Timberrrrrrrr

fepper wrote: »

Solicitors have been caught drink driving and put off the road too

Yep and every single one of them is a fukkkwit of the highest order, anyone caught drink driving should be hit with a 25 year ban no matter their circumstances.

The Sidewards Man

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Yep and every single one of them is a fukkkwit of the highest order, anyone caught drink driving should be hit with a 25 year ban no matter their circumstances.

It should be life without parole and be given no wifi either.

Lt Dan

Harry Palmr wrote: »

This reads like a plot strand from a John B Keane novel.

Its going to be featured on Pat Kennys Newstalk programme this morning.

The wimmen on Vinny Brown were not impressed with the story last night. It was a joke, move on, the man is in enough trouble as it is. Thankfully no one bar a hedge was involved in the incident

Wonder what Danny Healy Rae has to say about this.

Timberrrrrrrr

The Sidewards Man wrote: »

It should be life without parole and be given no wifi either.

Only if they kill someone.

SEPT 23 1989

would that be the equivalent of four pints of creamy stout?

2smiggy

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

Yep and every single one of them is a fukkkwit of the highest order, anyone caught drink driving should be hit with a 25 year ban no matter their circumstances.

and the death penalty for anyone with bald tyres or using a mobile phone

Timberrrrrrrr

Lt Dan wrote: »

The wimmen on Vinny Brown were not impressed with the story last night. It was a joke, move on, the man is in enough trouble as it is. Thankfully no one bar a hedge was involved in the incident

Wonder what Danny Healy Rae has to say about this.

And what if he heads out and gets slaughtered drunk again but this time wipes out a family? Will you still say "move on"?

fepper

Redbishop wrote: »

Yea, and makes assumptions on his sexuality, he may be gay and need to "find a good man"!
Btw can sheep drive?

AH ASSUMPTIONS!!ur great

Timberrrrrrrr

2smiggy wrote: »

and the death penalty for anyone with bald tyres or using a mobile phone

So you think drunk drivers should be treated with leniency because they live in the arse end of nowhere?

MOH

In fairness, it's John O'Shea. Should at least suspend his driving ban until after the Euros.
Otherwise he won't be able to help park the bus*




(*not that I have any great faith in Ireland or his ability to do that anyway)

fepper

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

So you think drunk drivers should be treated with leniency because they live in the arse end of nowhere?

<br />
<br />
Maybe that's why he drinks so much cos he does live in the arse end of nowhere

2smiggy

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

So you think drunk drivers should be treated with leniency because they live in the arse end of nowhere?

where did I say that ? and where is the 'arse end of nowhere' you speak of ?