In the case heard at Enniskillen Magistrates Court the prosecutor outlined that on May 14, 2015 at 1.50am police received a report of a two car crash at Church Street in Enniskillen, where a van had driven the wrong way down the one way street.
Police arrived at the scene and noted that both vehicles had sustained significant damage. Officers spoke to the driver of the van, Conor Quinn, of Hillfoot Crescent, Ballynahinch and not a strong smell of alcohol, he was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.
He was arrested and taken to Enniskillen Police Station where a lower evidential reading of 85mg was recorded, more than twice the legal alcohol limit. During a later interview Quinn admitted his driving was dangerous and that he travelled the wrong way, colliding with injured party’s vehicle.
The prosecutor explained that the injured party’s vehicle was shoved back 10 yards from the collision with the defendant’s van continuing on a further 20 yards.
The defence solicitor told the court that the incident took place after several hours of drinking and that he didn’t intend to drink drive. The solicitor explained that Quinn had been on a night out and had tried to drive back to the local hotel, where he was staying.
District judge Nigel Broderick gave Quinn credit for his clear record and guilty pleas and reflected it in his sentence. The judge stated however that there must be a disqualification as it was a high alcohol reading and there had been a road traffic collision.
Mr Broderick ruled that Quinn was suitable for the drink driving awareness course, which upon successful completion would qualify him for a 25% reduction in his disqualification.
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