Guitarist was ‘showing off' in his convertible in Bulman's car park

A 58-YEAR-OLD guitarist who was managed by Louis Walsh at one stage in his career, was convicted and fined €500 for drink-driving and disqualified from driving for two years.

Terence Flood, 3 Charleston Maltings, Ballinacurra, Midleton appeared at a recent sitting of Bandon District Court and pleaded guilty to the charges including leaving the scene of an accident.

The court was told that, on May 30th 2016, outside the Bulman Bar in Kinsale, Mr Flood drove his convertible Peugeot, undertook some manoeuvres in the car park and struck a jeep and drove off from the scene, causing €3,000 worth of damage. 

Gardaí in Kinsale were notified of the incident and a patrol later spotted Mr Flood at Five Mile Bridge, with the wing mirror hanging off his car. Mr Flood admitted the offence to gardaí and he was then arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

Eamonn Fleming solicitor for Mr Flood, said his client, who has three children with his partner, had one or two drinks too many on a lovely evening down in Kinsale and he ‘got carried away and started showing off’ in his convertible. His client then collided with a jeep and then drove off but when he was stopped by gardaí he put his hands up straightaway.

‘This disqualification will have a severe impact on him as he is just back from America and he is hoping to get a band together as he plays guitar. He has worked with lots of well-known musicians and plays in lots of charity events,’ said Mr Fleming.

Mr Fleming also added that his client realises that he needs to deal with his drinking and that he is also facing a two-year disqualification from driving as a result of the incident.

‘He is hoping to get his career up and running and if he can’t get a postponement of the disqualification he will need someone to drive him to his gigs.’

Mr Fleming added that his client made ‘two bad judgment calls’ and that he ‘seems to be a good citizen overall’ and that he is facing up to his problem with alcohol. 

Mr Fleming then asked the court for a postponement of the disqualification so that his client would be able to work through the Christmas period.

Judge James McNulty said anyone is allowed to apply for a deferral of a disqualification and that Mr Flood was entitled to one for four months. Judge McNulty also said the offences on that evening will have serious consequences for the defendant’s career and that the court would take these into account. The court was told that the damage to the jeep caused by Mr Flood was later covered by insurance.

Judge McNulty fined the defendant €500 for drink-driving, allowing him six months to pay and he granted a deferral of the disqualification until March 1st. The charge of hit and run was also taken into consideration.