A Keady man who cannot remember drink driving and colliding with parked cars after leaving the pub has been disqualified for 16 months.
The 33-year-old’s solicitor told court: “It is an alarmingly high reading, he had gone to the pub with the intention of having one or two but he fell into company and drank much more.”
Sean Rafferty, of Crossmore Green, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol at Armagh Magistrates’ last Tuesday.
Prosecution outlined that on March 19, at 1.15am, police were called to a road traffic collision on Crossened Row in Keady.
This had involved a Vauxhall Insignia which had collided with parked cars.
Officers spoke to the defendant at the scene, who confirmed he had been the driver of this vehicle.
It was noted that Rafferty smelled strongly of alcohol; his speech was slurred and he appeared unsteady on his feet.
A preliminary breath test was carried out which resulted in a fail.
The defendant was subsequently arrested and taken to Banbridge Custody Suite where he provided an evidential sample which gave a reading of 97mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
During interview, Rafferty stated that he did not remember the lead up to the incident and his last memory was being in the pub.
Defence solicitor Jarlath Fields said: “It is an alarmingly high reading, he had gone to the pub with the intention of having one or two but he fell into company and drank much more.
“He resides on his own. He is a chef but has not worked in some time; he has been driving for 15 years and has a clean record.”
District Judge Paul Copeland stated: “This was not only an irresponsible set of circumstances but also reckless.
“You cannot remember the incident but you set off endangering the lives of others”.
Rafferty was disqualified from driving for 16 months and ordered to pay a fine of £200, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 12 weeks.
The defendant was certified for the drink driving course which would see his ban reduced to one of 12 months if completed.
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