Co Tyrone electrician who thought he was fit to get behind the wheel loses licence for drink-driving
A 32-year-old Co Tyrone electrician who “appeared nervous” to police officers after he left an off-sales and drove off in a car, was found to be almost twice the legal drink-driving limit.
Dungannon Magistrates Court heard on Friday that police were on mobile patrol in the Donaghmore area on July 23, at approximately 9.15pm, when they spotted the defendant leaving the off-sales and followed him along the Tullyaran Road where they activated lights and sirens that made him stop immediately.
Barry McAleer, of Pomeroy Road, Pomeroy, was disqualified for 14 months and fined £200 with a £15 offender’s levy on a charge of driving with excess alcohol in breath.
Prosecuting counsel said on speaking to the defendant officers noted he was shaking and there was a smell of intoxicating liquor from the vehicle.
The lawyer said he failed a preliminary breath test and was arrested and conveyed to custody, where an evidential reading of 68 mcgs per 100 millilitres of breath was obtained. The legal limit is 35 mcgs.
She added McAleer had no record.
A defence solicitor stressed the incident was “completely out of character” for the defendant.
He said he had bought some chips and had gone home where he had some drink before getting back into the car.
The solicitor said he thought he was fit to drive.
He added that he worked as an electrician and his licence is important to him.
Imposing the disqualification, District Judge Francis Rafferty told the defendant that he was close to twice the legal limit.