A Warrenpoint man who collided with the barrier of a roundabout whilst over twice the legal limit has been handed a 12 month ban.
The 41-year-old’s solicitor told court his client was “delighted that no one else was inconvenienced or injured as a result of the collision”.
Eamon Kent, of Belvedere Heights, had a plea of guilty indicated to driving with excess alcohol at Newry Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecution outlined that on March 26, police received a report of a one vehicle collision on the Greenbank Road roundabout in Newry.
Officers arrived and spoke with the defendant, who identified himself as the driver involved in the collision.
A preliminary breath test was carried out at the roadside, due to Kent’s condition, which resulted in a fail.
He was arrested and a subsequent evidential sample obtained in custody gave a reading of 98mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – over twice the legal limit.
Defence solicitor Peter Rooney informed the court that his client had collided with the barrier of the roundabout in the incident.
He stated: “He is a merchant seaman. He would spend long times out at sea. He had been home drinking on the day in question and made the foolish decision to get into his car to go to the shops.
“He is just delighted that no one else was inconvenienced or injured as a result of the collision.”
Deputy District Judge Anne Marshall disqualified the defendant from driving for 12 months and ordered that he pay a fine of £350, along with the offender’s levy of £15.
Kent was certified for the drink driving course which would see his ban reduced to one of nine month upon completion.
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