Couldn’t remember who was driving car after drinking poitín

A 44-year-old man charged with failing to give information to gardaí after his pick up truck was found overturned has said he does not remember who was driving, after he and another person were drinking poitín in his camper van.

Keith McManus of Cartronwilliamoge, Drumcliff was before Sligo District Court where he pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit, driving without insurance and failing to give information to An Garda Síochána.

The court heard on October 7 th, 2018 McManus was detected driving close to four times the legal limit with 192mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood on the Bundoran Road. Also on this occasion he was driving without insurance and tax.

Fixed charge penalty notices for insurance and tax were issued and paid.

On January 30 th last at 8.20am gardaí discovered a pick up truck overturned in a ditch Gortnadrung, Ballintrillick. No driver was present.

Gardaí called to the registered owner, McManus who refused to give them details of who was driving the vehicle.

Solicitor, Mr Eddie Henry told the court his client had no previous convictions. However, he got himself into a tragic situation when he lost his job and his long term relationship ended.

Mr Henry said his client had been drinking heavily and living in a mobile home on the side of a mountain and was going through “a very bad time.” He apologised for his actions and could not provide gardaí with details of who was driving his car as he had no recollection after drinking poitín.

McManus was convicted of no insurance and fined €200 and disqualified from driving for three years, along with a 3 year concurrent ban for drink driving and a €200 fine, and a concurrent three year driving ban and €200 fine for failing to provide information to gardaí.