Driver’s two drink driving offences in seven months

A 56- year- old man arrested for drink driving offences twice in the space of six months has been fined a total of € 400 and banned from driving for four years.

Michael McPadden of Collery Drive, Cranmore admitted a charge of drunk driving and drunk in charge on two separate occasions at Pearse Road, the first on December 5th 2015 and the second on July 16th 2016.

The readings were 62mgs of alcohol per 100mls of breath and 97 mgs of alcohol per 100mls of breath.

Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor ( defending) said there was a plea of guilty to both offences. Inspector Donal Sweeney said the defendant had two previous convictions for drunk driving, one in 2002 and the other in 2010, the latter attracting a three year ban.

Mr McGovern pleaded that McPadden originally came from the Drumkeeran/ Dowra area but live in Sligo for most of his life.

He had retired eight or nine months ago and the loss of licence was going to have a dramatic effect on his life.

The defendant has kept sheep in the Dowra area and would visit them every second day or so.

Mr McGovern said the defendant wasn’t one to take food with his alcohol and this can result in a sky high reading.

“He has a difficulty with alcohol and he just cannot be driving,” said Mr McGovern.

Judge Kevin Kilrane noted the previous two convictions and said the readings were very high.

He pointed out that 22 was the permitted alcohol level and the defendant had one at 97 which was almost five times the limit.

“It’s for you to deal with your alcohol difficulty as best you can. I don’t know how you are going to do it but you cannot drive,” said the Judge.