A Co Antrim man, caught driving while over the alcohol limit three times in a week, “put the public in danger”, a Craigavon judge said.

Sean Mulholland, aged 41, from Bayview Park, Derrymore, Aghalee, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court via video link from Maghaberry Prison.

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Craigavon Courthouse. Picture: National World.

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Mulholland’s solicitor Ms Siún Downey said her client pleaded guilty to all three charges.

A Prosecutor revealed that around 5.30pm on October 17 this year police were called to Bayview Park following a report that the defendant had driven his vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

Mulholland’s sister told police she observed him driving his vehicle and met him at the door where he was "slurring his words and was very unsteady on his feet”.

"She said he was also carrying a two litre bottle of Ballygowan water which she later smelled and believed it to be vodka,” said the Prosecutor.

The defendant was sitting on the sofa in the front room and he was “slurring his words and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol”.

"He stated he only started drinking when he returned to the house and he was drinking raw vodka,” said the Prosecutor.

A preliminary breath test (PBT) wasn’t working so he was brought to Lurgan Police Station where he blew an evidential reading of 101 micrograms of alcohol to 100 millilitres of breath. The drink driving limit in NI is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

On October 9 police received a report that the defendant was driving while under the influence. Police spotted the vehicle travelling country bound on the M1 at Stockman’s Lane, Belfast. A PBT read 103 micrograms of alcohol while the evidential reading was 95 micrograms of alcohol.

On October 13, he was again breathalysed at Bayview Park with the evidential reading 143 micrograms of alcohol.

Mulholland’s solicitor said all three incidents took place within seven days. “Mr Mulholland doesn’t have a record nor does any member of his family. They have never had any dealings with the criminal justice system.

"Unfortunately Mr Mulholland does have an issue with alcohol,” said Ms Downey, adding the first time he was arrested he was bailed from the police station, the second time he had to go to court and the third time there was no address available to him.

"This is his first time in prison. He does not want to return. He appreciates the position he has put himself in. He is a man who is seeking help,” she said.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan said: “We have exceptionally high readings and all in a certain space of time. The last one is 143.”

He banned the defendant from driving for three years for each of the three charges.

"I think the best way of dealing with Mr Mulholland is a term of imprisonment which is suspended to put him fully to the test to properly engage with whatever service he needs. This court has a significant duty to protect the public.

"Mr Mulholland has a drink problem which he does acknowledge but within the period of one week he’s got behind the wheel, very very heavily drunk and has put the public in danger,” he said, sentencing Mulholland to four months in jail, suspended for 18 months.