Drink driver who took his mother’s VW Jetta without permission was more than four times the legal alcohol limit
A Co Tyrone man who was spotted driving a VW Jetta erratically on the A4 dual carriageway, has been jailed for four months at Dungannon Magistrates Court.
The court heard that about six miles from the Ballygawley roundabout, the Jetta stopped and the male driver, who was topless, was spotted jumping from the driver’s seat into the passenger seat.
Prosecuting counsel said Cathal Daley, aged 36, of Mullybrannon Road, Dungannon, refused to give police preliminary test, but in custody he did cooperate with them and failed the test.
He later provided an evidential specimen showing an alcohol reading of 145 mcgs per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 mcgs.
She said further police enquiries revealed he had taken the vehicle without permission of the owner and had no insurance.
The lawyer added that the defendant gave a no comment interview.
Admitting the offences, a defence solicitor told the court that Daley had been caught red-handed.
He said it was “an egregious reading” to which he could offer no defence.
The solicitor said that the vehicle belonged to the defendant’s mother.
He added that Daley is currently serving a three-month jail sentence for other matters.
Sentencing the defendant, the District Judge remarked he was over four times the legal limit.
Daley was also disqualified from driving for five years on charges of driving while having consumed excess alcohol in breath, having no insurance, and taking a vehicle with authority of the owner on the morning of August 17.