Enniskillen Court House, RMGFH04
AN ENNISKILLEN driver who was found sitting in his car in the middle of the road after crashing into a tree has been disqualified for drink driving.
Martin Fee (23) of Cavandale, Cavanaleck was before Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to the offence.
At 5.48am on May 15 police were called to reports of a car sitting in the middle of the Sligo Road in Enniskillen. When they arrived they found the Peugeot 307 sitting in the road, with damage to its front bumper.
The driver, Fee, told the officers he had hit a tree and was unable to move the car due to damage to the engine. He was arrested and brought to Enniskillen Police Station where he returned an evidential reading of 74 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath.
Defence solicitor Bernard Corrigan said Fee, who had no previous convictions, was a student at Ulster University and was due to return to his studies in September. He said the loss of his licence would cause difficulties for Fee, who he said was “foolish” as he had been had decided to drive home from a friends house after drinking.
Mr Corrigan said the offence had occurred during a turbulent period in Fee’s life, and the incident had been a wake-up call for him. He said Fee had since taken steps to tackle issues with alcohol, and asked the court to give the defendant credit for his early plea and candour with police.
Deputy District Judge Peter King said it was “deeply concerning” Fee had needed to get assistance for his alcohol issues at such a young age.
Stating he was giving him credit for his early plea and clear record, Judge King said he had to take Fee’s reading, which was twice the legal limit, into account when sentencing as he had “an obligation to protect motorists from drink drivers.” He disqualified Fee from driving for 16 months, certifying him for the drink driving course which could reduce his sentence by 25 per-cent, and fined him £250.
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere