Paul McNulty (22) of Crom Cruaich Way, Belcoo pleaded guilty to two counts of drink driving and one count of careless driving at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday. 

The first charge of drinking driving arose out of an incident on Saturday, October 1 when McNulty was observed by police driving erratically on the Sligo Road in Enniskillen, veering on to the verge a number of times. 

When stopped, police noted a smell of alcohol from McNulty, and he was arrested after failing a preliminary breath test. When arrested and brought to Enniskillen Police Station, McNulty returned an evidential reading of 78 micrograms per 100ml of breath, more than twice the legal limit. 

The next day, October 2, from where the charge of careless driving and second count of drink driving arose, police observed McNulty driving on the Lattone Road in Belcoo. 

The defendant was exiting a petrol station, and when police saw him they pulled in to speak with him. However, as they did so, McNulty drove out of the station and his car collided with the rear near side of the police car. No one was injured and minor damage was caused to the police car. 

When tested, McNulty returned an evidential reading of 98 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. 

Defence solicitor Garry Smyth said McNulty accepted full responsibility for his actions and, having initially been brought before the court on Monday, October 3 following his arrest, saw how such offences were treated seriously by the court. 

Mr Smyth explained, on the second incident, McNulty, who he said came from “a respectable background,” had been attempting to move out to get a better view of the main road when he collided with the police car.

Handing in testimonials on McNulty’s behalf to the court, Mr Smyth said the defendant had previously lived and worked in Australia, where he suffered a back injury. He said he intended to return when his back improved, but realised a court conviction may impose on his visa application. 

The solicitor asked District Judge Nigel Broderick to take into account that McNulty had been disqualified from driving since the date of his arrest, and asked the judge to give the defendant credit for his early guilty plea and clear record. 

Judge Broderick said both his high readings and the fact he was detected on two consecutive days were aggravating factors in McNulty’s case, but said he had read his references and would give him credit for his clear record. 

For the October 1 offence, of drink driving, he fined McNulty £200 and disqualified him from driving for 15 months. For the October 2 offence of drink driving he fined him £300 and disqualified him for three years, and for careless driving he fined him £100 and disqualified him for three months. All disqualifications are to run concurrently.