Singer fined and banned for drink driving

Added: 27-06-2012

GLENTIES District Court heard today that singer Dolores Keane is
getting her music career back on track after a long battle with
alcohol.
The traditional Irish folk singer appeared in court this morning to
face a charge of alleged drunk driving at Derries, Glenties on March
26 last year.
Last month the court heard that Keane, 58 from Caherlistrane, Tuam,
Co. Galway, was pleading guilty to drunk driving while the second
charge of careless driving was withdrawn.
The court was told today that Keane has two previous convictions for
similar offences dating back to June 2000 and more recently last
December when she was disqualified from driving for three years, which
came into effect in February of this year.
Inspector Denis Joyce outlined that gardaí had received a report of a
car driving in an erratic manner on the date in question, which had
driven past Glenties courthouse on the wrong side of the road. A
breath sample reading of 64mg was recorded – nearly twice the legal
limit.
Appearing on behalf of Keane, Tuam-based solicitor Eric Gleeson said
the mother-of-two had drank all her life, which has affected her
health and well-being. He added that she had undergone rehabilitation
treatment and was now off alcohol and medication and getting her
career back on track.  Addressing Keane, who appeared in court with
her sister and manager, Judge Paul Kelly said it was obvious that her
presence today was sufficient punishment, adding that he was sorry for
this.
The judge said that he would deal with the matter by way of a fine on
this occasion and imposed a €300 fine and a four year driving ban to
run concurrently with her three-year disqualification. He also told
Keane that she would be “seriously in peril if she found herself in
this situation again”.