Three months for Galway motorist who did U-turn at checkpoint

A disqualified driver who turned his car away at a Garda checkpoint on the Tuam Road has received a three-month prison sentence.

Published 30th Apr 2026, 06:00 BST Turned car away at a Garda checkpoint A disqualified driver who turned his car away at a Garda checkpoint on the Tuam Road has received a three-month prison sentence. Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.

Ken Odo (40), with an address at 92 Country Meadows, Cloontooa, Tuam , pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and without a driving licence at Tuam Road, Castlegar, on April 8, 2026.

Outlining the facts of the case, Sergeant Joanne McGhee, told the court gardai observed a vehicle stop and turn away from a checkpoint at around 8.45pm on the date in question.

Gardaí followed and stopped the vehicle and the driver was identified as Ken Odo, who was disqualified from holding a driver's licence at the time.

Sgt McGhee said that on January 16, 2026 the accused was banned for six months for attempting to drive while in excess of the legal alcohol limit.

The court heard the ban came into effect in March and an offence of hit and run was also taken into consideration by the sentencing judge.

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Defence solicitor, Michael Cunningham, told the court that, prior to this incident, his client's wife brought the car to Galway City to find a buyer for it. On the day he was stopped, the court heard, the accused collected the vehicle at Terryland and ‘panicked’ when he later saw the Garda checkpoint.

Mr Cunningham said his client now takes a bus to work and is no longer driving.

Judge Fiona Lydon said that an aggravating factor that the accused was disqualified from driving at the time for a drink driving related offence with a hit and run incident taken into consideration – and a further aggravating factor was the fact he turned away from Garda checkpoint.

She imposed a three-month prison sentence for the no insurance charge and fixed recognisances in the event of an appeal.

Related topics: Insurance Driving licence Galway Tuam Alcohol Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.