A 27-year-old garda who injured an inspector's finger when he drunkenly drove up the Luas line in the wrong direction was today disqualified from driving for two years.
James Keaty, from Earls Ford Court, Lucan in Dublin resigned from the force 10 days ago after the conclusion of an internal investigation.
At the Richmond District Court in Dublin, he pleaded guilty to charges of drink driving, reckless endangerment, escaping custody and driving without tax.
Judge Mary Collins disqualified him from driving for two years, endorsed his licence and fined him €300.
She also fined him €500 for not having tax on his black Alfa Romeo car.
Counsel for Mr Keaty, Kieran Kelly, said that his client had sacrificed his career as a result of the incident.
Mr Kelly also told the court that Keaty had suffered from depression and had been on medication for a number of months because he was feeling a bit low.
Judge Collins, in imposing her sentence, said she had to bear in mind the medical evidence and also the fact that his resignation from the force was probably a harsher penalty than what the court was imposing.
"I had to believe there is some reason for being so stupid but I think he's paid a high price," she said.