Drink driver three times limit

Instead of walking a few hundred yards home after he had been drinking a Lurgan man decided to drive his car, Craigavon Magistrates Court heard last Wednesday.
Craigavon Courthouse. INPT21-239.Craigavon Courthouse. INPT21-239.
Craigavon Courthouse. INPT21-239.

And the ban he received ended a long, clear driving record.

Anthony McGaharan (59), Victoria Street, Lurgan, admitted driving with excess alcohol on December 12 last year.

He was fined £350 and disqualified for 12 months.

The court heard a description was given to police by a motorist concerned about a drunk driver in Lurgan. They saw the defendant, who matched the description, get out of his car at Victoria Street.

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He smelled of intoxicating liquor and said he had been at the Courthouse bar and had taken a few drinks. An evidential breath test gave a reading of 106 - the limit is 35.

Mr Conor Downey, representing the defendant, said his client had a clear driving record and the distance from the bar to his home was only 500 to 600 yards.

“He could have staggered it home,” said District Judge, Mrs Bernie Kelly, who added that it was a very high reading.