A 34-year-old man who drove at over twice the legal drink drive limit and crashed into a hedge has been banned from driving.
Enniskillen Magistrates Court heard on Wednesday that police were alerted to a male driver travelling on the A4 Belfast Road on 26th November last. A member of the public had alerted police to the driver, believing him to be intoxicated as he had crashed into a hedge.
The driver was found by officers still at the scene of the crash and was identified as Matthew Halligan of Irvinestown Road in Enniskillen. After failing a preliminary breath test, Halligan was brought to Enniskillen police station where a further evidential test conducted returned a reading of 79 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath – over twice in excess of the legal limit.
Defence barrister Ciaran Roddy pointed out that his client had been involved in a single road vehicle collision and that it had been fortunate that no one else was involved.
“He had been entertaining friends the previous evening and had stopped drinking earlier but he had an argument with his son and took the decision to get into his car. He felt that he had enough time had passed for him to drive safely. In hindsight it was a very foolish decision as he had alcohol on board but he decided to remain on the scene,” Mr Roddy added.
Deputy District Judge Laura Ivers noted that Halligan had a clear record and taken responsibility for his actions but he had driven at over twice the legal limit.
She disqualified him for 15 months until retested and certified him for the drink driving course while also imposing a £250 fine and ordering him to pay the £15 offenders levy.
“This is a blot on your record. Once you get back on the road, don’t drink to excess again or drive on the morning after,” the judge warned Halligan.
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