DRINK DRIVING CHARGE DISMISSED

A 39-year-old woman has successfully contested a drink driving charge.

Paula McKevitt, 1 Ard Patrick, Louth Village, pleaded not guilty to the offence alleged to have occurred at Park Villas, Dundalk, on 5 August last.

Garda Battrim gave evidence that he saw a Ford Fiesta on Park Street. It travelled towards Park Villas and was going from side-to-side.

He stopped the car in Park Villas. There was a strong smell of drink from the driver who then failed a roadside breath test.

Gda Battrim said he formed the opinion Paula McKevitt was incapable of having proper control of her vehicle having consumed an intoxicant. He arrested her at 3.15am.

A positive breath sample was subsequently provided.

Solicitor Frank McDonnell argued the evidence excluded entirely a 20-minute observatory process having taken place before the roadside breath test.

‘It’s a good point. We’ve had it before,’ said Judge Coughlan.

He dismissed the charge.