Arrested driver was ‘multiples over limit’

A driver whom Judge Kevin Kilrane told was multiple times over the drink driving limit was fined €300 and banned from driving for three years at Sligo District Court.

Before the court was Kieren Hennessy of Culleenamore, Strandhill who admitted a charge of drunk driving on October 30 th 2016 through his solicitor, Mr Gerard McGovern.

He had been arrested by Garda Brendan Gardiner. A sample from the defendant showed a reading of 244mgs of alcohol per 100mls of urine.

He had one previous drunk driving charge dating from May 2011 when he was banned for three years.

Mr McGovern pleaded that the defendant lived in a rural area and wished to make an application to have the implementation of the ban postponed until January 1st next.

The defendant needed to change his address and put in place a driver, said Mr McGovern.

The defendant told the court that while he had been drunk on the night he wasn’t driving.

“I was standing outside my house when I met the Garda in question,” he said.

The Judge enquired as to whether the defendant was standing by his guilty plea and he replied that he was.

Mr McGovern said the arrest had taken place at the house and that he had gone through the whole matter with the defendant.

Judge Kilrane said the reading was very high, multiples of what was allowed.

He asked the defendant if he had a difficulty with alcohol and he replied; “not particularly.”

He said that this year he had gone six and a half months without drinking.

At the same court, Dylan Henry (24), Caddagh Glebe, Dromahair was fined €250 and banned from driving for three years for drunk driving at Connaughton Road on July 19 th 2017.

A sample from the defendant showed a reading of 74mgs of alcohol per 100mls of breath.

Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor (defending) pleaded that the defendant had co-operated fully.

Also at Sligo District Court, Fran McGabhann, Bunowna, Easkey was fined €200 and banned from driving for three years for drunk driving at Main Street, Easkey on October 3rd 2017.

A sample showed a reading of 204mgs of alcohol per 100mls of blood.

Mr Mark Mullaney, solicitor (defending), entered a plea to the offence.