Kilkenny man sentenced to eight months for making false statement

A man who made a false statement to gardai  was so drunk that he was unable to remember collecting his social welfare payment earlier that day.

Damien Delaney, 149 Roberts Hill, Kilkenny admitted to making a false statement on April 27, 2023 at Kilkenny Garda Station Contrary to Section 12(a) of the Criminal Law Act, 1976.

The court heard that the date of the offending behaviour coincided with the anniversary of a family member. On that day the defendant went to the social welfare office and collected his payment and then attended the anniversary gathering and had some drinks before returning back to the social welfare office in an intoxicated state.

The defendant was informed by staff that the payment had been made.

“He had forgotten it and he went to the garda station and made a complaint. He genuinely believed that the funds were taken from him,” said Sgt Morgan O’Connor describing the offence as ‘alcohol related’.

The defendant also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance at Roberts Hill, Kilkenny on April 24, 2024. The court heard that on the date in question gardaí were on patrol in the Callan Road area of Kilkenny City at approximately 2.45pm when they observed the defendant driving a Volkswagon Passat. The gardaí were aware that the driver was uninsured at the time and they stopped the vehicle and seized the vehicle. The defendant was co-operative and admitted that the car was uninsured at the time.

The 32-year father of four has 75 previous convictions, including two for no insurance and that he is currently disqualified for driving without insurance.

Judge Geraldine Carthy remarked to the court that the bulk of the defendant’s previous convictions relates to intoxicant related offences.

The judge imposed an eight-month sentence and banned the defendant from driving for six years.