A garda had to be taken to hospital after a drink-driver rammed a Garda car in a head-on collision during his attempts to flee the scene.

A six-month suspended jail sentence was imposed on a former solicitor and politician for carrying a penknife which was found in his possession after a row in a nightclub.

A psychiatric report is to be prepared on a former Fianna Fáil councillor before he is sentenced for being drunk and a danger; being threatening abusive or insulting; and carrying a knife.

A former Fianna Fáil councillor — described by a retired garda as “the most arrogant man I ever encountered” — was yesterday convicted of being drunk and a danger, being threatening, abusive, or insulting, and carrying a knife.