North Clare Man Given Three Year Driving Ban After ‘Bender All Benders’ – Clare FM

A north Clare man went on the ‘bender of all benders’ after his partner of 16 years left him – for his best friend, a court has heard.

At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett imposed a three year driving ban on Declan O’Looney (41) after he pleaded guilty to drink-driving and dangerous driving arising from a Garda car chase at Kilshanny in north Clare on June 20th 2023.

Judge Gabbett imposed a two year driving ban for dangerous driving to run concurrent to the three year ban for drink driving and also fined Mr O’Looney €200 for the obstruction of a police officer to be made to the Little Heroes charity.

Sgt John Burke said that on the date, Mr O’Looney of Kylemore, Ennistymon, Co Clare sped off in his 11-G registered vehicle after Garda Christopher Whyte had stopped him at the side of the road in Kilshanny at 8.45pm.

Sgt Burke said Garda Whyte pursued the white van but pulled back as he deemed it unsafe to pursue on the country roads due to people out walking.

Sgt Burke said that Mr O’Looney’s driving forced oncoming motorists to 

pull into a grass verge and drove straight across a cross road.

He said that Garda Whyte continued to observe from a distance and saw Mr Whyte come to a stop.

Sgt Burke said that when Garda Whyte approached Mr O’Looney, Mr O’Looney took his German Shepherd dog that had been in the van off a lead and said that it would take an army to bring him in.

Solicitor for Mr O’Looney, Daragh Hassett said that for his client to find himself before court on these charges “is a spectacular fall from grace”.

Mr Hassett said: “Mr O’Looney went on the bender of all benders this day after his partner of 16 years left him and to add insult to injury I am instructed she left him for his best friend.”

He said: “He didn’t see it coming – what happened at home.”

He said: “What has happened has happened – he just has to move on.”

Mr Hassett said what has occurred to Mr O’Looney has elements of a tragic comedy.

He said that the consequences for him from his plea of guilty to the charges “are life changing and life altering for his family and so be it”.

Mr Hassett said that after his client learned that his wife was leaving him “it got out of control very quickly.”

He said: “It is all a complete blur to him what happened that day.”

Mr Hassett said that on the day in question: “Gardai came upon him and he behaved despicably and he remembers little of it.”

Mr Hassett told the court that Mr O’Looney has met the case extremely fairly.

Mr Hassett said: “He has advised me he remains totally embarrassed. He has stated ‘I let myself down and I wish to plead guilty to all charges’.”

Mr Hassett added that in Mr O’Looney taking his German Shepherd dog out of the car and saying what he said to Garda Whyte “was completely out of order”

Mr Hassett said: “It is not the way he behaves generally. He is a hard working man both for his family and for himself.”

Mr Hassett said there is no issue with alcohol in the background. He said: ”Mr O’Looney socialises normally but not to any great extent.”

Mr Hassett said that it was a most unusual case and requested a postponement of the driving ban.

Judge Gabbett suggested Mr O’Looney use an electrical bicycle but Mr Hassett said that this wasn’t practical due to his block laying work.

Judge Gabbett deferred the driving ban to October 9th to allow Mr O’Looney “get his house in order”