Man refused to give specimen to police

A factory worker who couldn’t get a lift home after drinking with his brother-in-law and then refused to give police a specimen of breath, was fined £150 and banned from driving for 14 months for driving while unfit through drink.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Jul 2020, 10:00 GMT
Dungannon Court TT0509-JS112Dungannon Court TT0509-JS112
Dungannon Court TT0509-JS112

Paul Kevin Canavan (38), of Hollow Mills Grange, Dungannon, was also fined £175 with a £15 offender levy for failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan certified Canavan for the drink driving rehabilitation course which, if successfully completed, will entitle him to a reduction in his period of disqualification.

Prosecution counsel told Dungannon Magistrates Court on Wednesday that police on mobile patrol on the night of June 20 observed a car cutting the kerb at Donaghmore Road.

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He said police spoke to the driver and noticed a smell of intoxicating liquor and that his speech was slurred.

Counsel said Canavan failed to provide a preliminary sample and was taken into custody.

The lawyer said despite several requests the defendant again refused to give a specimen and made no reply during interview.

A defence lawyer said Canavan had been at his sister’s house drinking and when he could not get a lift decided to drive home.

He said the defendant knew he was over the limit and he foolishly thought that he was going to get somewhere by not providing a specimen.

The lawyer added that Canavan is a father-of-five and also working part time as a delivery driver and the loss of his licence will cause the family problems.