Van driver seven times legal limit

A VAN driver who hit a car waiting at the Fishnish ferry terminal while almost seven times over the legal limit for alcohol has been banned from driving for 32 months and fined £ 500.

Donald Milne Kearney, 61, of Flat 2, Seanivan, Banavie, Fort William, pleaded guilty to driving a van on the A884 Fishnish Ferry Road, Mull, on Sunday April 30, after consuming so much alcohol that a test measured 142mg in 100ml of his breath, when the legal limit is 22mg.

Procurator fiscal Eoin McGinty told Oban Sheriff Court on Monday May 8: ‘Three witnesses were sitting in their car waiting for a ferry. The time was 4.55pm.

‘As they sat there, a van collided with the rear of their vehicle, causing damage to both vehicles.

‘It was abundantly apparent he was under the influence. He failed a roadside breath test.’

Defence agent Jane McLaren said: ‘He has been employed by BT as an engineer. He has resigned. I have advised him he will lose his licence for quite some time.

‘He advised me he did drink a large amount of alcohol on Saturday night and early Sunday morning. He tells me he did not have anything on the Sunday.’

Sheriff Ruth Anderson QC said: ‘A heroic quantity must have been drunk. It is amazing he is still alive.’

There was a ‘high level of culpability,’ she said, adding: ‘It is seven times the legal limit.’

She disqualified Kearney for 32 months and fined him £ 500, to be paid within 28 days.