Enniskillen courthouse
A 46-year-old Lisnaskea man who crashed into a fence was double the legal drink driving limit after consuming alcohol on an “empty stomach” has been banned from driving.
Bart McDermott, of Monanacoly Road, admitted the offence at Fermanagh Court saying that he lost control of the car when he answered his phone.
McDermott was banned from driving for 13 months and fined £300.
A prosecutor explained that on March 15, last year, police were called to a single road traffic accident on the Tullynevin Road, Lisnaskea.
The driver was suspected as being under the influence. Upon arrival, police spoke to the defendant who was located near the van.
He told officers that he was driving the vehicle and added: “I lost control when answering the phone.”
When McDermott was told they would require a preliminary breath test he stated that he had drank one pint.
He failed the test and was taken to Enniskillen Police Station where he gave a reading of 70mg of alcohol in breath, double the legal limit.
Defence solicitor Garry Smyth said, “He accepts he had taken alcohol before this after he drank on an empty stomach and that exasperated the situation.
He collided with a fence after he lost control by answering the phone and damaged the car.
He lives in a rural setting and lives some 15 miles from his work. Losing his licence will present a difficulty getting to work.”
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Posted: 12:50 pm March 9, 2015