Struck parked car and later arrested for drunk driving

A 26- year- old man who collided with a parked car and then a second one in a Sligo car park was subsequently arrested for drunk driving in Coolaney.

Before Sligo District Court was Ilmars Kalvans, Cartron Bay, Sligo who admitted charges of failing to remain at the scene of a collision at Stephen Street car park on January 1st last.

He further admitted drunk driving at Rathosey, Coolaney and with driving without insurance or a licence.

Inspector Donal Sweeney said the defendant hit a parked car and another that was passing at the time.

When stopped subsequently the defendant admitted to colliding to the cars. He was arrested for drunk driving and brought to Ballymote Garda Station where a sample showed a reading of 100mgs of alcohol per 100mls of breath.

The Inspector said the defendant received community service orders previously from Westport District Court on charges of unauthorised taking of a car and burglary.

Ms Laura Spellman, solicitor ( defending) pleaded that the defendant was living in Ireland for the past three years and had been working for all of that time.

He was carrying out the community service and had about 80 hours to complete.

Judge Kevin Kilrane said that given the alcohol reading the defendant “would have been out of his mind.” Within eleven months of his previous offences “he was at it again though much worse.”

The Judge imposed concurrent five month jail terms and banned the defendant for five years.

Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.

By the time the court had concluded the appeal had not been lodged and the defendant was taken into custody.