It was easy to spot the TD in Court 45 yesterday. G.V.Wright was the only defendant in a suit, was at least 30 years older than most of the others and achieved added prominence by sitting in the front row.
The only obvious thing he had in common with those behind was finding himself on the wrong side of the law.
Judge James Scally knew some of the defendants from previous appearances and took an avuncular interest in their cases. Brusque in his dealings with lawyers, he delivered stern but well-meaning lectures to their clients, especially where drink or drug problems were involved.
One young man was warned: "Stay away from drink. Especially over Christmas - that's the danger period." Another was congratulated on his residential treatment programme for drug abuse: "You seem to be stable now. Any chance of getting yourself a job?"
A common theme was the advisability of not coming to the attentions of the Garda again in the near future. Another was the risk of them "falling off the wagon" during the December festivities.
As the judge worked his way through a busy list, Mr Wright rose twice, first to confirm he was pleading guilty, and an hour later to hear his sentence.
On the second occasion Garda Fergal Flynn repeated the details of the case. How he had been called to an accident at North Strand, Dublin, on September 18th. How Mr Wright's breath had a "strong smell of alcohol". And how a subsequent breathalyser test at Store Street Garda station showed an alcohol level at 67mg per 100 ml.
There were no lectures from the bench for the 56-year-old TD. Judge Scally asked the garda if Mr Wright had been "any bother", and was assured that, on the contrary, he had been "very co-operative". Mr Wright's solicitor, Martin Kennedy, pointed out that his client had never previously been in trouble.
The judge noted that a two-year driving disqualification was mandatory, but before deciding the fine he needed to know the defendant's income. This was another area in which Mr Wright differed from the norm yesterday. He smiled as he heard his earnings described as "reasonably substantial".
Judge Scally imposed a fine of €900. Outside, the TD dodged questions about whether he should resign. Taking his cue from the judge, he sounded a caution, expressing hope that the coverage given to his case would "change the habits of others, especially with Christmas coming up".
