Co Tyrone man who was twice the legal drink-drive limit tells court he had a 'bad relationship with alcohol'
A Co Tyrone motorist who was said by the district judge to be twice the drink-drive limit, lost his licence for 16 months when he appeared at Dungannon Magistrates Court.
The court heard that police were on mobile patrol at Moore Street area of Aughncloy at 11.55 pm on May 2 when checks of a black van parked outside a bar indicated there was no insurance in place.
Prosecuting counsel said police then observed a male leaving a side entrance of the bar and getting into the vehicle and reversing out before being stopped.
Before the court was Owen Joseph McCaughey, aged 48, of Gortlenaghan Road, Dungannon, who was also fined a total of £500 with a £15 offender’s levy for driving while having consumed excess alcohol, failing to provide a prelminary breath specimen, and driving without insurance.
Counsel said police approached the defendant and he admitted that he had no insurance.
She said officers also noticed a strong smell of intoxicating liquor and that his speech was slurred, eyes glazed and appeared unfocused.
He was asked to provide a preliminary breath test which he refused to partake in and was arrested.
At Dungannon custody suite, McCaughey provided a breath specimen which showed an alcohol reading of 76 mcgs per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcgs.
McCaughey, who was not professionally represented, said he was extremely sorry.
He said he has not had a drink since and claimed he had a “bad relationship with alcohol”.
The defendant asked the court not to disqualify him as he needed his licence to get to work and see his children.