Judge congratulates banned singer

A judge congratulated singer Dolores Keane as he banned her from driving for four years and fined her €300 for drunk-driving.

Judge Paul Kelly paid tribute to Ms Keane for A Woman’s Heart and wished her the best of luck in her continuing career.

Keane, aged 58, of Caherlistrane, Tuam, Co Galway, who is now on her third driving ban, told the judge at Glenties District Court: “Thank you very much.”

She admitted being nearly twice over the alcohol limit when driving outside the courthouse on Mar 26, 2011. The court was told it was her second drink-driving incident within a few months because she had already been banned for three years for an offence near her Tuam home in Nov 2010. The four-year ban, which started yesterday, will run concurrently with the three-year.

Judge Kelly was also told that Keane, who spent three months this year at an alcoholic counselling and treatment centre, was first banned from driving for two years in June 2000.

Garda Inspector Dennis Joyce said that in March last year, gardaí received a report of a car being driven in an erratic manner on the wrong side of the road.

Keane was co-operative with the gardaí.

Eric Gleeson, defending, said Ms Keane had two children, one of whom, her son Joseph, was blind.

“She drank all her life which affected her health and wellbeing and more recently began to drink heavily,” he told the court.

Earlier this year she went on a 12-week intoxication course in Cuan Mhuire and at one stage was removed for treatment for illness to hospital in Limerick.

She was now off alcohol and medication and was “a lot more healthy” than when he first took instructions from her last year.

She was getting her career back on track and there was an upcoming tour.

Judge Kelly noted to Keane that it was obvious her being in court was “sufficient” punishment.

She replied: “Yes.”

The judge said: “I am sure you would rather be remembered for A Woman’s Heart and your other fine productions.”

The judge told her: “You are seriously in peril if you find yourself in this situation again.”

Keane once more replied “thank you” as she left the court with a sister and her manager.