Former Galway East Fianna Fáil and Labour TD Colm Keaveney has been given 220 hours community service and a three year driving ban, after admitting to driving under the influence of cocaine.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of drug driving, and to two other charges of driving without insurance, at Tuam District Court in September of last year.
The offences occurred on separate dates in 2023 and 2024.
After being adjourned on multiple occasions, the case was finalised at Tuam Court today.
Defence solicitor Gearóid Geraghty said 55-year-old Colm Keaveney had spent eight weeks in residential treatment and was taking steps to address his addiction issues.
He acknowledged that a probation report said the defendant was at a medium risk of re-offending but pointed out that he had not come to Garda notice recently.
Judge James Faughnan said that having considered the probation report he felt a non-custodial penalty was fitting in this case.
He imposed 220 hours of community service, in lieu of a four month prison term, and disqualified the former TD and County Councillor from driving for three years.
Judge Faughnan accepted Colm Keaveney had experienced difficulties and acknowledged that he seemed to have taken the appropriate course to address his addiction issues.
