A drink driver caught accelerating along a main road in Armagh is facing “astronomical” insurance premiums – and “he has only got himself to blame”.
Daniel Anthony Mulvenna, 38, of Drumlin Drive in Lurgan, appeared before Armagh Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with drink driving, no insurance, being an unaccompanied L driver, and not displaying L plates.
The prosecutor told the court that on Sunday, April 19, at approximately 3am, police witnessed a black Mercedes accelerating along Lonsdale Road in Armagh.
Police then observed the vehicle turn sharply onto Lower English Street and then onto Lisanally Lane, Armagh.
When he turned onto Lisanally Lane, police saw Mulvenna “exit the driver’s side quickly in an attempt to enter nearby property”.
Due to this behaviour, police stopped him and, through checks of police systems, it was discovered that he only held a provisional licence. He also failed a preliminary breath test and was arrested.
Mulvenna’s defence counsel stated that he had made admissions from the outset.
“Although his record doesn’t do him any favours, Your Worship will see there is a gap in his offending from 2015 to 2023, so he has shown that he is able to stay out of trouble,” she stated.
“He will have to sit and pass his test again if he ever wants to get back on the road, and due to his record, his insurance is going to be astronomical – but he has only got himself to blame.”
District Judge Anne Marshall remarked: “This is the last time that he’ll be dealt with for no insurance without a pre-sentence report, and all options will be open.
“There is quite a break in offending, but it is a bit of a concern that he has that no insurance and unaccompanied driving from 2023.”
Mulvenna was fined £200, along with the £15 offender levy for drink driving. He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.
He was fined a total of £200 for the remaining offences and given six months to pay.
