An Armagh man has been disqualified for three years for his third drink driving offence.
The deputy district judge commented that it was concerning that this was the 43-year-old’s third such matter before the court since the turn of the century.
Raymond Doyle, of Battleford Road, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol at the city’s Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
It was heard that on June 16, at 1.50am, police observed a Mercedes on Folly Lane, Armagh, swerving from left to right and mounting the kerb on the passenger side.
Officers stopped the vehicle and as they did so the driver, Doyle, dropped the keys before walking away.
The defendant appeared intoxicated and a preliminary breath test was carried out resulting in a fail.
Doyle was subsequently arrested and taken to Dungannon Custody Suite where a reading of 72mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath was obtained.
Deputy District Judge Sean O’Hare commented that this was the defendant’s third drink driving offence.
Defence counsel stated: “He clearly has some previous relevant driving matters. He is currently unemployed but is the carer for his mother.
“He instructs me that he was drinking on this evening when he received a call from his girlfriend, who lives in the Armagh area. She was fearful that there was an intruder in her home”.
He continued: “This was a guilty plea at the first opportunity. He totally co-operated with the police during the arrest and interview.
“He accepts that he should have got someone else to drive and that he should have known better.”
Deputy District Judge O’Hare stated: “I don’t need to tell you about the seriousness of this offence. The fact that you have been caught three times since the turn of the century is a concern.
“However, I do recognise that there has been a gap as your other two offences date back to 2006 and 2007.”
Doyle was disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to pay a fine of £350, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 15 weeks.
