Drank ‘a drop’ before driving, court hears

A 53-year-old man told Judge Kevin Kilrane he had ‘a good drop’ of alcohol before getting into his car to drive. Terry McGowan of Tullyhill, Rathcormac, was charged with drink driving, not having insurance or a driver’s licence at Stephen St, Sligo on November 25 th 2016. He had a blood alcohol reading of 242ml per 100ml blood. He had no previous conviction. Defending solicitor Mr Mark Mullaney asked Judge Kevin Kilrane to deal with the case as leniently as possible. He said he had only bought the car and consumed too much alcohol. The judge asked the defendant: “What tempted you to drive with a 242 reading, it’s shocking, you must have been out of your mind with alcohol.” Mr McGowan replied “I had a good drop.” He said he has no car now and will never have one again. He was fined €100 for no insurance and disqualified for five years and €200 for drink driving and also disqualified for five years.