Enniskillen Court House, RMGFH03
A 47-year-old man was caught drink driving after abstaining from alcohol for seven years, Enniskillen Magistrates Court heard on Monday.
Father-of-three Paul Neill of Ratoran in Tempo appeared to face a charge of drink driving.
The court was told that police were called to a single vehicle collision at Chapel Road in Ballinamallard at 10.30pm on July 9th.
On arrival, officers found a car on the grass verge and Neill slumped inside. When he got out of the car, officers noted that he was unsteady on his feet, his eyes were glazed and his speech was slurred.
After failing a preliminary breath test at the scene, the defendant was arrested and conveyed to Enniskillen custody suite. A further evidential breath test returned a reading of 86 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath – 51 in excess of the legal limit of 35 micrograms. When questioned by police, Neill told them that he had gone for a few drinks after work before driving home and losing control of his car, resulting in the crash.
Defence solicitor Michelle McVeigh highlighted to the court that this incident had been after an unplanned outing on the night in question.
“He hadn’t consumed alcohol for seven years and foolishly took the decision to drink. He had tried to get a taxi home but was unsuccessful. He has sustained significant financial loss as a result of the damage caused to his own vehicle,” she added.
Deputy district judge Laura Ievers told Neill: “I’m sure you understand the serious predicament you’re in and in the knowledge that you put yourself and all road users at risk if you get behind the wheel of a car with drink taken.”
In light of Neill’s previous convictions for similar offences, the judge said she would impose a significant fine of £500 “in expectation that this will be the last time” he appeared in court on these charges. She added that “with some hesitation” she would certify him for the drink driving course as she disqualified Neill for three years until re-tested.
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