A 22 year old man has been banned from driving for three years after pleading guilty to unlawfully taking and drink driving a HSE ambulance in West Clare.
Conor Hannon of Sycamore Drive, Rathbane, Limerick, was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community work in lieu of a three-month prison term for unlawfully taking the ambulance at Victoria Terrace, Kilkee on May 6.
Giving evidence at Kilrush District Court gardai said the ambulance was on an emergency call in Kilkee at 2.30am that morning with the engine running and the keys in the ignition when a very intoxicated Connor Hannon got into the ambulance and drove it forward.
The court heard the student who was studying tourism in Limerick put on the seatbelt and drove it two feet forward before he was removed by a paramedic.
He was armed with a knife at the time which District Court Judge Patrick Durcan described as a lethal weapon.
Council for the student said his client was very remorseful – and believes his drink was spiked -adding there was no element of violence .
Judge Durcan imposed a three year driving ban on Mr Hannon and fined him €250 for driving the ambulance while under the influence.
He also ordered him to carry out a 100 hours of community work in lieu of a jail sentence for possession of the knife and a 100 hours of community work in lieu of three months for unlawfully taking the ambulance, with the two sentences to run consecutively.
