Co Armagh man, found slumped over car steering wheel 'passed out', had a 'cocktail of drugs' in his system, Craigavon court hears
"You were literally out of your tree,” said a judge after hearing a Co Armagh man, found slumped over the wheel of his car ‘passed out’, had a cocktail of drugs in his system.
Police found it “extremely difficult” to rouse the 26-year-old Lurgan man who appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
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Sean McConaghy, aged 26, from Filbin Crescent, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drink/drugs.
Police received a report of a man “slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle” in the Lake Road area of Lurgan on September 19 last year.
On arrival police saw the driver “passed out” in the driver’s seat with a car key on a lanyard around his neck.
"The defendant was extremely difficult to rouse. He had slurred speech, his eyes were glazed and he was drifting in and out of consciousness,” a Prosecutor said.
Due to his level of intoxication he was taken to Craigavon Area Hospital. While there he agreed that blood was taken for analysis.
"The forensic report showed the defendant had a number of substances in his system at the time of the incident which would have impaired him,” the Prosecutor revealed.
McConaghy’s solicitor Mr Pat Vernon said his client has "no excuse”.
Mr Vernon said the defendant had been in bed all night but had taken a “cocktail” the night before. The solicitor confirmed it was a “cocktail of drugs” when asked by the District Judge.
The solicitor said his client was “still drowsy” when he got up the next morning. “He wasn’t thinking straight and he jumped in the car to go to the local shop to get some cigarettes and food.”
He said his client was discovered only minutes from his house. “He says that once he got a certain distance he realised he shouldn’t be driving and pulled in to stop and basically fell asleep,” said the solicitor.
Mr Vernon said his client does have drugs and mental health issues. He said since this incident his client has “got some help” via the Addiction Clinic at Trasna House and in March this year McConaghy went to Hollywell in Antrim for a three week residential “to help him address his issues”.
"He is trying to sort these matters out,” said the solicitor, adding his client is single and unemployed and attended court with his father.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said it seems McConaghy wasn’t interviewed by police. “Had that account been given at interview, the charge would have been the substantive driving while unfit charge rather than in charge of a vehicle while unfit.”
A Prosecutor confirmed police hadn’t carried out an interview.
"You’re a very lucky man,” said the District Judge. “What I have just heard is clear evidence of driving whilst unfit but the charge before this court is one of in charge and I cannot sentence on the more substantive charge.
"It is quite clear Mr McConaghy you were literally out of your tree at the time in question. There is clear evidence of significant impairment.”
He banned the defendant from driving for three months, fined £250 and ordered to pay £15 Offender Levy. “That’s because of that cocktail of drugs found in your system.”