A LOCAL man who pleaded guilty to drink driving has been handed a disqualification after the Judge hit out at those who drink drive.
Desmond Morrison (47) of Gola Road, Lisbellaw appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court last Wednesday charged with driving with excess alcohol in breath.
On December 1st around 1am, a Ford Transit Van was stopped on Drumgood Road, Maguiresbridge. When breathalysed, Morrison delivered an evidential breath reading of 59 micrograms per 100ml of breath – 24 micrograms over the drink driving limit.
Defence solicitor Niall Bogue told the court that the defendant was a self employed farmer and welder, and the loss of his licence would impact on his work. He explained that Morrison was doing work at a bar after hours for the person who owned it, and he had consumed alcohol but thought he would be alright to drive the three mile journey home.
Mr Bogue also added that the defendant was a father of three and he takes his youngest to school and the loss of the licence would also impact this. He asked District Judge Nigel Broderick to be lenient due to his early guilty plea and pointed that the reading was not the highest rate.
Judge Broderick told the court that this case was one out five first appearances cases in court on that day for driving with excess alcohol, and that it seems that the court sentences are not acting as a deterrent. He added that these are serious laws that need to be taken seriously, and that it was clear that there was an increase in drink driving.
He then disqualified Morrison for 16 months and certified him for the drink driving course. He also fined him £400 and ordered him to pay £15 defenders levy.
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