GARDAÍHADNO AUTHORISATION

A motorist has been cleared of alleged drink driving as the guards stopped him outside the time of their authorisation to perform a checkpoint.

Patrick McKenna (60), 71 Carrick Broad Road, Dromintee, had contested the charge which arose out of an incident on 9 February last.

Garda Buckley said he stopped the defendant at a checkpoint in Monascriebe at 10.10pm.

He failed the breathalyser and subsequently gave a sample which showed an over the limit reading of 47mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

Garda Buckley said the defendant co-operated and presented no difficulty. He has no previous convictions.

Barrister Ronan O’Carroll submitted the authorisation to carry out a checkpoint at that location was between 11pm and 11.35pm.

Judge Coughlan said he had to dismiss the charge.