Motorist ‘panicked’ and drove off after accident

Sixty-three-year-old Brian O’Neill from Maghadone Lane, Moneymore, was also fined a total of £550 with a £15 offender levy for driving with excess alcohol, failing to remain at the scene of an accident, failing to report the accident, and careless driving.

Magherafelt Magistrates Court was told on Wednesday that the offences occurred at Ministers Walk, Moneymore, on June 17.

Prosecution counsel said the incident was reported to police who later came across the defendant slumped over the wheel and had to take the keys from him to prevent him from driving off.

She said he was arrested and provided a breath specimen which showed an alcohol reading of 125mgs.

Defence lawyer Dean Mooney accepted it was a high reading, but stressed the defendant came before the court with no record.

Mr Mooney explained that the incident happened towards the end of lockdown when the defendant had been out of work and had then been offered work and gone out and consumed too much alcohol.

He said O’Neill had reversed into the side of the vehicle and has offered to pay for the damage.

“He panicked as he had never been in anything like this before and drove off,” he continued. He added that the loss of his licence would cause problems in carrying on his employment.