‘ Broke out’ and caught drink driving twice over a ten day period

A 56 year old who was arrested for drunk driving on two occasions last April had broken out after being off drink for 12 years, Tubbercurry District Court was told.

Padraig Shannon of Cloontia, Ballymote admitted drunk driving on April 22nd at Clooneen, Cloontia when the reading was 114mgs of alcohol per 100mls of breath and on April 28th at Knockbrack when the reading was 282mgs of alcohol per 100mls of blood.

He didn’t have any previous convictions. Mr Declan O’Callaghan, solicitor ( defending) said Shannon, a single man, had been off the drink for 12 years before he went back on it following a health issue at this time when he was detected twice.

The defendant also had another matter pending before Ballaghaderreen Court soon, added Mr O’Callaghan.

The defendant was a full time carer for his 96 year old mother.

He had undergone an alcohol treatment programme at Cluain Mhuire and was also attending AA meetings since.

Judge Kevin Kilrane said the readings on both occasions were shocking.

Shannon was fined a total of € 500 and banned for five years with the disqualification coming into effect on January 15th after an application was made by Mr O’Callaghan to postpone the ban.

The defendant gave an undertaking to court that he would not drink. “It won’t happen again,” he told the court. Judge Kilrane said he was taking somewhat of a chance by leaving the ban until January.