Enniskillen Courthouse
A 45-year-old farmer has been banned from driving for the second time after he admitted to a charge of drink driving at Enniskillen Magistrates Court.
James Edward Duffy, of Rossorry Church Road, Enniskillen, was barred from driving in 2011 for a previous offence.
He now faces a further three year driving ban.
A prosecutor outlined to the court that on August 8 at approximately 12.45am police were travelling along the Tempo Road when they spotted a tractor parked at the side of the road.
They noted that the New Holland Tractor was parked half on the road and half on the curb with its headlights switched on.
As the officers went to speak to the driver they noticed they could smell alcohol and that his eyes were glazed.
However the accused told the officers that it was not possible to provide a breath test.
But an evidential breath test was taken and gave a reading of 95mg, just under three times the legal limit.
Duffy was then charged with drink driving.
District Judge Nigel Broderick described the alcohol reading as very high adding that his late guilty plea saved him from a harsher sentence.
Defence solicitor Garry Smyth said that his client, who is a married man, admitted to what he did.
Mr Smyth said: “He is a self-employed farmer and had been working late in the evening and accepts that he had taken drink while he was working.
“He co-operated with police both at time he was charged and at the station. The loss of his licence will impact on him.
“There was also an issue with the charge sheet.
“When police arrived the vehicle was stopped at the side of the road. But it appeared that the vehicle moved forward when they arrived and they charged him with drink driving.”
District Judge Nigel Broderick said that what saved him is late plea adding that if he is caught driving again he will go to prison.
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