Former Labour TD charged with dangerous driving, obstructing garda

Former Labour Party TD for Clare Michael McNamara has appeared in court charged with dangerous driving and obstructing a garda.

At Killaloe District Court, sitting at O'Donovan's pub in Ballina, Mr McNamara (43) appeared in relation to the two alleged offences.

Mr McNamara, a barrister and farmer from Ballyglass, Scarriff, in east Clare, denies the charges and is to contest the prosecution at a hearing later this year.

He is charged with dangerous driving contrary to Section 53 (1) of the Road Traffic Act at Tobernagath, Scarriff on December 10th, 2016.

Mr McNamara is also charged with resisting and obstructing Garda Darren McLaughlin during the course of his duties under Section 19 of the Public Order Act at the same location of the alleged dangerous driving on the same date.

Those convicted in the district court of obstructing a garda in the course of their duties face a jail sentence of up to six months and/or a fine of €635 while those convicted of dangerous driving in the district court face up to six months in jail and/or a fine of €127.

At Tuesday’s sitting, defence counsel Martin Dully BL told Judge Brian O’Shea the case will take two hours when evidence is heard in December.

The former TD was in court for the brief hearing into the case where Judge O’Shea ordered, following an application by Mr Dully, that all State documents be disclosed to the defence.

Judge O'Shea adjourned the case to October 25th to Ennis District Court for mention to get an update on the disclosure issues and adjourned the case for hearing to Killaloe District Court until December 5th.

The alleged offences took place almost 10 months after Mr McNamara lost his Dáil seat in the 2016 general election.