Driver (48) was found standing next to his upturned car after leaving crash scene

Jonathan Bollard (48) was later found standing beside his car, which was on its roof and facing in the wrong direction.

Judge Máire Conneely ordered a probation report to see if Bollard was suitable for community service.

The defendant, of Ringfort Close in Balrothery, admitted refusing to provide a breath specimen, as well as a number of road traffic offences.

Garda Shauna Lynch told Swords District Court the victim reported to gardaí a silver Volkswagen Passat had crashed into her car on the R108 Naul Road on June 9, 2020.

Gda Lynch said the woman claimed the other driver was going at speed, and there had been no chance for her to evade the crash, which caused significant damage to her car.

The garda said the driver, later identified as Bollard, failed to stop and drove off in an erratic manner toward Swords.

The car was found a short while later on its roof on the Swords Road, at Lissenhall.

Gda Lynch said Bollard was standing beside the car, and was very aggressive.

He was stumbling around the place. He was asked to provide a breath sample to gardaí but he refused to do so.

Defence solicitor Fiona D’Arcy said Bollard had struggled with an alcohol problem his whole life, and this problem really spiralled during the pandemic.

She said this incident took place nearly two years ago, and Bollard was a different man now.

He received a short jail sentence in February, was now clean and feeling much better, and was availing of psychological services while in custody.

Ms D’Arcy said Bollard was due to be released next week, and he planned to avail of counselling upon his release.

She also asked the judge not to extend his time in prison.