Kerry GAA star Darragh Ó Sé receives a three-year driving ban after being convicted of drunk driving

Mr Ó Sé was caught on 12 August 2020 near his home in Mounthawk Manor, Tralee, exceeding the legal limit six times.

In 2021, he was convicted and given a three-year driving ban, but subsequently appealed the decision.

He appeared before Judge Sinead Behan at Tralee Circuit Court on Tuesday night.

Mr Ó Sé, who won six All Ireland medals with Kerry, argued that he was denied access to legal advice before a urine sample was provided.

Sergeant James Hurley testified that Mr Ó Sé initially failed a breathalyzer test and was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving.

He was asked to give a urine sample at Tralee Garda train station.

Sergeant Hurley said Mr Ó Sé then asked to call a retired Garda sergeant and his lawyer, but both calls went through nowhere.

Radio Kerry reported that former Garda Shane O’Reilly said he was given the opportunity to make another call but declined. Mr Ó Sé claimed he asked for a third call, but this was declined.

The urine sample showed a value of 414 mg alcohol per 100 ml. The legal limit is 67 mg per 100 ml urine.

Judge Behan ruled that legal counsel prior to providing a urine sample would have been of no use to him since he should have provided the sample in either case.

The driving ban was maintained.

It will come into force on October 31 of this year. He also has to pay a fine of 400 euros.