After the collision the driver, Damien Martin Cassidy, of Woodview Crescent, Trillick fled the scene and was found by police at a local pub. He was disqualified from driving for two years, given a four month custodial sentence, suspended for two years and fined £300 at Enniskillen Magistrates Court.

The prosecutor outlined that on June 20, 2015 at 5.20pm police received a report of a road crash on the Derrylin Road, just outside Enniskillen. A Hyundai Trajet had collided with a combine harvester.

The defendant was driving the car and it was reported he continually swerved over the white central line before colliding with the combine harvester. Cassidy then fled the scene, but a description was given of him to police.

He was later discovered at the Village Inn, pub on the Sligo Road in Enniskillen and arrested. Cassidy was cautioned for the offences and replied: “Aye, I was driving, I had drank too much”. Police noted his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet.

A preliminary breath test was administered, which Cassidy failed and he was arrested. On the way to the station he had a conviction for drink driving and previously was disqualified. At the police station he gave an evidential reading of 128mg of alcohol in breath, almost four times over the legal limit (35mg).

When told he would be charged with drink driving the defendant replied: “Guilty, no point denying it”. Police then contacted the last registered owner of the vehicle who told them he had not given Cassidy permission to drive the vehicle at the time. Cassidy was also found to have no driving licence or insurance.

During interview the defendant explained that he had taken the vehicle from Trillick. He told police the vehicle had been unlocked and had located the keys in the sun visor. Cassidy said he had then taken the vehicle to Arney where he drank numerous bottles of beer, before then making his way on to Enniskillen.

He told police he could not remember the collision. After the collision at the pub Cassidy said he had just purchased a drink before police arrived, but hadn’t drank it. The defendant then explained that he was previously disqualified on the Isle of Man for drink driving.

Defence solicitor Niall Bogue explained that the vehicle in question belonged to Cassidy’s employer and handed in a reference from him to the court.

District judge Nigel Broderick noted that it was “very benevolent” of the defendant’s employer to keep him in a job after the incident. The judge said these were serious matters aggravated by the level of alcohol consumed.

“Four times over the limit is simply unacceptable for anybody,” he remarked.

In light of Cassidy’s good work history the district judge  with some hesitancy decided to suspend the custodial sentence.