Eamonn Dunphy receives 10 year driving ban

Controversial broadcaster Eamonn Dunphy has escaped jail but has been banned from driving for 10 years after pleading guilty to a drink driving offence.

The Dublin District Court also fined Mr Dunphy €1000.

Outside the court Mr Dunphy told reporters "he was going back to work" and had no further comment.

The court heard he had eight previous convictions including drink driving and driving without insurance.

In May 1997 he was disqualified for driving for seven years but had his licence returned to him in 2000. In the early hours of October 28 last year Eamon Dunphy was picked up by gardai on Camden Street in Dublin.

Garda Paul Kane gave evidence that he saw Dunphy's car drive through a red light and when he was pulled over he smelt of intoxicating liquor and found him incapable of driving.

Lawyers for Dunphy argued against the custodial offence saying that Dunphy was a man of fame and suffered a great deal over this case.