A Waterford man appeared in court recently for driving while disqualified.
Dean Caulfield (31) of 26 Johnstown, Waterford, was stopped by Gardaí while driving on 30 May this year.
At a recent sitting of Waterford District Court, it was heard that after Gardaí stopped and spoke to the accused on the day in question, they discovered that he was driving while serving out a 12 month disqualification for a previous offence of drug driving, which was imposed on him in February, 2025.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Kenneth Cunningham said that his client accepted that he was disqualified from driving at the time and “took a chance.”
He highlighted that the accused is now working full-time, and took it upon himself to provide a urine sample to Gardaí at his own expense, even though this was not needed.
Judge Kevin Staunton said this was a “serious offence” as the accused was only before the court in February, and “essentially ignored” the disqualification order that was issued to him at the time.
After Judge Staunton initially stated that he would disqualify the accused from driving for four years, Mr. Cunningham asked him to consider halving this to two, as his client made an “unfortunate decision” and is “currently living with the consequences.”
Judge Staunton said: “Does it really matter if he’s going to drive anyway?” He then handed a two year disqualification from driving to the accused, stating that this is his “final chance” and if he’s caught driving again, a further disqualification will be “the least of his worries.”
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
