Former Youi Insurance CEO Francis Costigan caught drink driving at Darlinghurst

A senior financial services executive and former Youi Insurance CEO was caught drink driving on Anzac Day with two young passengers after spending the previous night binge drinking wine in the eastern suburbs. Here’s what happened.

Costigan was sentenced to a 12-month conditional release order, without a recorded a conviction.

A Paddington senior financial services executive was caught drink driving with two young passengers in the back seat on Anzac Day.

The 58-year-old FX Costigan Consulting CEO had worked in the Australian financial services sector for more than 30 years.

Francis Costigan faced Downing Local Court, which is currently sitting at the JMT building, after he pleaded guilty to driving with a mid-range PCA.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Antrum sentenced Costigan to a 12-month conditional release order, without a recorded conviction.

Court documents state Costigan was driving along McLachlan Ave, Darlinghurst in a 40km/h zone when his Audi Q7 was stopped for roadside testing about 11.30am on April 25.

Costigan was the CEO of Youi Insurance from 2017 to 2018.

Officers noticed two young passengers in the back seat of Costigan’s car, documents state.

He returned a mid-range alcohol reading of 0.081 and was taken to Kings Cross Police Station where he told officers he had consumed about 10 glasses of wine at the Paddo Inn the night before.

He was charged at Kings Cross Police Station. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Costigan’s driver’s licence was suspended and police handed him a court notice.

At his court appearance Costigan’s lawyer Janelle Whale requested Mr Antrum not convict her client and said Mr Costigan had difficulties sleeping leading up to the incident.

“This was something that was not uncommon at that time,” she said.

Ms Whale said the offence took place the morning after he had consumed the alcohol and he had not checked in on himself before getting behind the wheel.

Costigan had about 10 glasses of wine at the Paddo Inn the night before he was pulled over by police.

Mr Antrum said Costigan had two young passengers in the back seat which was the main issue.

“Having them with you should have given you pause to think,” he said.

“I accept the last 18 months have been difficult for you and you relied on alcohol to provide a soft landing,” he said. “Most Australians know drink driving is one of the most dangerous things they can do on the road.”

Mr Antrum said Costigan was “devastated” about the incident and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

“He had no previous criminal convictions and I’m certain this isn’t going to happen again,” he said.

During Costigan’s career, he previously worked as a managing director for QBE insurance and was the CEO of Youi Insurance.

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