Sentencing of partner of Clare TD for traffic offences is adjourned

A JUDGE has further adjourned imposing sentence on the partner of independent Clare TD, Violet Anne Wynne for driving offences after being told that John Mountaine is “in a holding pattern” in his efforts to secure a driving test.

At Kilrush District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett said that he would adjourn the case to January after solicitor for Mr Mountaine, Patrick Moylan said his client “is in a holding pattern” in his bid to obtain a test.

Judge Gabbett described this as “unusual” adding: "I do appreciate tests take a while but I mean this was in lieu of being put off the road given the unusual circumstances of six children and no ability to get around.”

The judge said that “lots of people have had tests" since the hearing of the case last June.

Mr Moylan said: "I asked Mr Mountaine when he first applied for a test and he sent me this - November 2020”. 

He added: “Mr Mountaine sent them an email last week and still no date.”

Judge Gabbett said: "When you log into the system they should tell you your date - that is why I was hoping there should be a print out."

Mr Moylan said that the online system has told Mr Mountaine said that they will email him directly when slots become available to book.

Judge Gabbett then said: “If you miss that, it is putting it back”.

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At the hearing of the case in June, Judge Gabbett commented that Mr Mountaine was continuing to break the law by driving around unaccompanied (without a qualified driver) before adjourning the case as he wanted Mr Mountaine to obtain a full licence.

He made his comment after stating that he is to convict provisional licence holder, John Mountaine (41) of holding a mobile phone while driving, driving unaccompanied and driving without L plate at Lack West, Kilmihil, Co Clare.

Mr Mountaine was on a call to Deputy Wynne at Leinster House during a ‘pre-school run’ for two of the couple’s children on October 21 2021 when he was spotted by Garda Patrick Hanley holding a mobile phone up to his ear while driving.

Judge Gabbett said that Mr Mountaine “by his admission is continuing to break the law by driving around unaccompanied. He has reasons for that but that doesn’t make them valid”.

Judge Gabbett said that Mr Mountaine has a peculiar set of circumstances where he has six children, his partner works in Dublin for a significant portion of the week and he has to drive.

Mr Mountaine told the court that he has been "harassed" by gardai since his partner’s election as a TD in February 2021.

In response to Mr Mountaine’s harassment claim, Sgt Louis Moloney told Judge Gabbett: “I don’t want this case to be used as a vehicle in order to have multiple cheap shots at Gardai who are doing their duty”.

In reply, Mr Mountaine said last June “I would never do that.” 

Judge Gabbett has now further adjourned the case to January 16.

In doing so, he said: "I need a print out from that webpage to show where he is in terms of that process.”