Kerry drink driver ‘forgot to eat’ and hit ditch on way home

A 59-year-old single farmer from near Waterville got so carried away with talking about Kerry football in the middle of the All-Ireland Championship that he forgot to eat and hit the ditch on his way home, Cahersiveen District Court heard yesterday.

John O’Shea, of Derrinadin, Mastergeeha, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol at Tarmons, Waterville, on July 25, 2014.

He was standing alongside his vehicle when gardaí arrived at the scene on the afternoon in question. He admitted driving and all his documents were in order, Insp John Brennan outlined.

Mr O’Shea’s solicitor John O’Dwyer, the son of local football legend Mick O’Dwyer, said this was a single vehicle accident.

Mr O’Shea had gone to Waterville for animal feed and shopping on the day in question. “But it was around football time,” the solicitor continued. “He met someone and they went for a few drinks and he forgot to eat.”

“Is there no food in Waterville?” Judge James O’Connor asked.

“There is — but football came in the way,” the solicitor said.

His client would be hampered in the winter months especially in terms of getting feed for his animals and he was hoping to get the driving suspension delayed to the summer, Mr O’Dwyer said.

Judge James O’Connor noted a plea had been entered and agreed to adjourn the matter to the June court.

Mr O’Shea would be off the road for three years, the court also heard.