A DISTRICT court judge told a young man that she takes a very poor view of people giving false names to gardaí.

Judge Joanne Carroll made the comment when dealing with the case of Daniel Hogan (20) of Clonpriest, Youghal at Bandon District Court where he pleaded guilty to a number of road traffic offences including driving without insurance or a driving licence, driving while under the influence of an intoxicant and giving a false name to gardaí.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy told Judge Carroll that on March 26^th last while on patrol in Tawnies Crescent, Clonakilty, he observed a car driving erratically which also drove through a junction.

‘He followed the car and it came to an abrupt stop. He spoke to the accused who gave a false name of ‘John O’Driscoll’ and a false address. There was also no insurance and he didn’t have a driving licence,’ said Sgt Mulcahy.

The court also heard that gardaí carried out an oral fluid test on Mr Hogan which was positive for cocaine.

‘He was arrested and conveyed to Clonakilty Garda Station for a blood sample and it was only after this that he provided gardaí with his real name and address.’

The court heard that no drugs were detected in his blood specimen but alcohol was and that he has five previous convictions including dangerous driving

Defence solicitor Plunkett Taaffe said his client was married but is now separated and has mental health issues.

‘He acknowledges he has an alcohol problem and is going to Bruree soon and he is in court with his mother. He was not in the right place mentally at the time of this incident,’ said Mr Taaffe.

Judge Carroll disqualified him from driving for four years on the no insurance charge as this was his second conviction within three years.

She also disqualified him from driving for one year on the drink driving charge which is to run concurrently to the four year driving ban.

She also convicted and fined him €100 for driving without a licence and gave him five months to pay the fine.

Judge Carroll said that not only did he give a false name but it was someone’s elses which she said was ‘reprehensible.’

Mr Taaffe said his client was prompted to say the name of a passenger’s brother that night.

‘I take a very poor view of giving false names but will strike it out given his diagnosis,’ said Judge Carroll.

She also admitted him to a probation bond for 12 months where he is to co-operate with probation services, attend for alcohol treatment and engage with mental health services and avail of any counselling.

‘You’re a very young man,’ added Judge Carroll.