Cork MMA fighter Brian Manning gets community service for fifth drink-driving conviction

The court heard that Brian Manning had recently turned professional and had his first professional fight

The drink-driving offence was detected by gardaí on May 8, 2023, at the car park of Rathcooney cemetery in Cork. File picture

Professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter Brian Manning will be doing 120 hours of work in the community in Cork to avoid a five-month prison sentence.

The MMA fighter’s battle on Thursday was to stay out of jail when he appeared in Cork District Court for sentencing on his fifth drink-driving conviction.

29-year-old Brian Manning of Sydney Park, Wellington Road, Cork, pleaded guilty to charges that included driving while under the influence of alcohol and driving without insurance. This offence was detected by gardaí on May 8, 2023, at the car park of Rathcooney cemetery in Cork.

Sgt Kelleher said that when tested the motorist had 202 mgs of alcohol per 100 mls of urine in his body. He was also driving without insurance.

Sgt Kelleher told Judge Philip O’Leary that the defendant had a number of previous convictions. Of greatest relevance in the case before Cork District Court on Thursday were four previous counts of drink-driving and four for driving without insurance.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, acknowledged the record of convictions but said that this latest offence dated back to May 2023 and that the young man’s life was now in a much better place.

Mr Buttimer said Mr Manning was in court with his partner and that after a pretty good amateur career in Mixed Martial Arts he recently turned professional and had his first professional fight.

“He made a bad decision to drive on the occasion. 

He is on a suspended sentence and he knows he is on a last warning and obeying that. 

"You might consider directing a community service order in the circumstances,” Mr Buttimer said to Judge O’Leary.

Judge O’Leary said: “I hope his future is bright but this is a serious matter that would warrant a prison sentence.” However, the judge said he would direct a community service order of 120 hours in lieu of five months in prison. He also disqualified him from driving for a total of six years.

Directing the community service work, for which the defendant had to be assessed by the probation service for his suitability, Judge O’Leary said Mr Manning should have no difficulty doing the work as he appeared to be a fit and strong man.