Drove with bottle of beer

A learner driver who was caught driving a car with a bottle of beer in his hand has been banned for 12 months.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Jul 2010, 10:32 BST
Updated 3rd Aug 2010, 11:27 BST

Charles Irvine, from the Carnhill Estate, pleaded guilty to driving while unfit, having no insurance or learner plates and driving unaccompanied on July 4, last.

The 24-year-old was followed by police on the Northland Road because he was driving in an "erratic manner."

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He stopped the car and handed a bottle of beer he was holding to a passenger as officers apporached the car.

Irvine's speech was slurred, his eyes were glazed and he smelt of intoxicating liquor so he was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit.

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley told the court Irvine was pretty close to sitting his test and now "through his own stupidity that test date is substantially put back."

As well as the disqualification, District Judge Barney McElholm ordered the 24-year-old to pay a fine of 350.