A BAR manager who drove home from court minutes after being disqualified was jailed for two months.

Zach Agar, of Jack’s Cottage, Ballygeaney, Ballycotton was arrested on Monday December 15th hours after he appeared at Bandon District Court and got a four-year ban for driving without insurance.

Judge Joanne Carroll told Mr Agar that she had no option to impose a custodial sentence even as she said he was bringing road traffic legislation into disrepute.

‘He was treated fairly in court… but yet he left the court after receiving another driving disqualification and drove home,’ said the judge.

At the December 15th hearing Mr Agar had also been fined €750 and sentenced to four months in prison which was suspended for 18 months.

He had four previous convictions including two for driving without insurance and was disqualified from driving since May 1st 2024.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy told Judge Carroll that following his appearance in court on Monday December 15th, the accused was stopped by Gda John O’Donoghue at Ballylangley, Bandon.

‘He spoke to Mr Agar and it was then discovered that he was disqualified from driving. He was arrested and charged at Bandon Garda Station and brought before the court just hours after he had appeared,’ said Sgt Mulcahy.

The court heard that he was remanded in custody until Thursday December 18th court appearance.

Defence solicitor Plunkett Taaffe said his client told him that he had been taking the car away when he was stopped by Gda O’Donoghue.

‘He has been in custody since Monday December 15th and has had ample time to reflect. I’m asking you not to impose a custodial sentence as he has others who depend on him.’

However, Judge Carroll said: ‘That was a decision he made and I was at pains at the previous court sitting to tell him that he cannot drive while disqualified. He absolutely understands the situation. He knew he couldn’t drive away after court and he’s bringing the road traffic legislation into disrepute.’

She added that he was treated fairly and yet he left court and drove off.

‘There is absolutely nothing I can do even if it is Christmas week. He has to go to prison,’ said the judge.

Judge Carroll sentenced him to three months in prison for driving while disqualified but suspended the final month of that sentence.

She also imposed the same sentence for driving without insurance which is to run concurrently.

She refused Mr Taaffe’s request to fully suspend the sentence.

‘He has to get the message that the driving laws apply to him as it does to everyone else,’ added Judge Carroll.

Mr Taaffe added that his client better understands the situation now than any other day in court.

Recognisances in the event of an appeal were fixed in the defendant’s own bond of €100.