Driver was drunk after New Year’s Eve night out.’It was a moment of madness’ says solicitor.

A man who had consumed a substantial amount of alcohol on New Year’s Eve then drove away before being stopped by gardaí at Pearse Road.

Inspector Ray Mulderring told the court the defendant, Thomas McLoughlin, had a 240/100mg urine reading.

The 34-year-old with an address at Rinbane, Ballinacarrow, had no previous convictions. The incident occurred on January 1st 2017.

Defending solicitor Mr Tom MacSharry told the court the incident happened on New Year’s Eve.

He said: “It was a moment of madness. My client had an argument and got into the car.

“He has never been in court before.

“He is very sorry and remorseful for what happened and it will never happen again,” he added.

Judge Kevin Kilrane described the reading as ‘quite outrageous’.

He added: “It is multiples over the limit.”

He fined him €300 and disqualified him from driving for three years.