Drink-driver who crashed into a wall in Coalisland described as a 'highly respected member of the community'
A Co Tyrone man described by his lawyer as a “highly respected member of the community,” has lost his licence for 16 months following a collision at Coalisland.
Dungannon Magistrates Court was told on Wednesday that at 1.15am on May 31, police attended a one-vehicle collision on the Brackaville Road after a van collided with a wall and fence.
Before the court was 39-year-old Shane McDonald, of Stewartstown Road, Coalisland, who was also fined £300 with a £15 offender’s levy, for driving while having consumed excess alcohol in breath.
Imposing the penalties, District Judge Francis Rafferty remarked after considering character references that the defendant “is clearly highly thought of”.
The judge said he would give him maximum credit but he also had to consider the defendant was three times over the drink-drive limit.
Prosecuting counsel said police arrested the defendant and conveyed him to Lurgan custody, where he provided a breath specimen showing an alcohol reading of 102 mcgs per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcgs.
A defence lawyer pointed out that the defendant had made himself known to the police at the scene and told them he had been the driver and made full admissions in custody.
He explained that McDonald had earlier been out watching a football match.
The lawyer said he is a “highly respected member of the community” who steered youth away from anti-social behaviour and towards community-based programmes.
Pleading with the court to show him leniency, he stressed that McDonald had a clear licence and record and is the main carer for his mother.