Herbert Johnston had a clear driving record before he appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court last Wednesday, when he pleaded guilty to careless driving, drink driving, failing to stop at the scene of a damage-only accident, failing to report a damage-only accident, failing to remain at the scene a damage-only accident, and breaching a traffic sign. 

On Sunday, February 17 police were called to a two vehicle collision outside the Lough Erne Resort. The officers spoke to one of the drivers who told them their car had been struck by Johnston’s car, that had been exiting the resort. 

When the officers attended Johnston’s address they found there was damage to the front of his car. The defendant, who was breathalysed by police and returned a reading of 78 micrograms per 100ml of breath, told them the other car had collided with him. 

Johnston was shown CCTV footage of the collision and was unable to explain to police what had happened. 

Defence barrister Ciaran Roddy said Johnston was 75-years old, and had been driving for many years without any previous convictions. 

He added a driving disqualification that required him to re-sit his test would obviously cause Johnston, who is in receipt of pension but still works as a farmer and requires his licence to drive a tractor on the public road, difficulty at his age. 

District Judge Nigel Broderick said he’d read the evidence in the case and could understand where Johnston was coming from, however he added the defendant had a “high-ish” drink driving reading. 

Judge Broderick disqualified Johnston from driving for a total of 18 months, and fined him a total of £300.