3 days ago
Drug driving case against former TD adjourned once more
A case against a former TD, accused of drug driving, has been adjourned once more.
Colm Keaveney was elected as a Labour Deputy for Galway East in 2011 and subsequently joined Fianna Fáil.
He's charged with driving with cocaine in his system, contrary to the Road Traffic Act.
The offences are alleged to have occurred at Cummer, Tuam, Co Galway on 12 June 2023.
The case was before Judge James Faughnan at today's sitting of Tuam District Court, having already been adjourned on multiple occasions.
Defence solicitor, Gearóid Geraghty, told the court that a matter had arisen which needed to be dealt with.
He sought one final adjournment to attend to this, after indicating that a plea would be lodged at that time.
Sergeant Christy Browne said it was the State's view that there had already been a significant number of hearings in relation to the charges. He argued that the case should be finalised today.
In response, Mr Geraghty told the court that a medical situation needed to be addressed and said he was seeking one more adjournment, on a peremptory basis, to allow for this.
Judge Faughnan acceded to the request and said the proceedings would be concluded when they are next listed for hearing in September.
Mr Keaveney sat at the back of the court throughout the brief proceedings and left shortly afterwards.
The Court has previously heard that the drug testing of a blood sample provided by the former TD involved a two stage process, which began on 3 July 2023 and was completed on 4 August. It revealed the presence of benzoylecgonine, commonly known as cocaine.
The case has now been adjourned on eleven separate occasions.
Mr Keaveney lost his Dáil seat in 2016 and went on to serve on Galway County Council.
He no longer holds elected office.
