A Craigavon man who was found to be over three times the legal drink drive limit after fleeing the scene of a collision has been handed a 15 month ban.
Sentencing the 23-year-old, the district judge commented: “He is incredibly lucky that it was only a direction sign he hit. Could you imagine if he hit a human being? Although he would be before an entirely different court.”
Ryan Conway, of Old Court Manor, had pleas of guilty entered on his behalf to driving with excess alcohol, failing to remain and failing to report at Craigavon Magistrates’ on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on June 20, at 10pm, police received a report of a one vehicle collision on Parkview Street, Lurgan, in which a description of a male fleeing the scene was provided.
Checks on the vehicle revealed that this defendant was the last registered owner and he was located at the nearby GAA club.
A preliminary breath test was conducted resulting in a fail, with a subsequent evidential sample obtained in custody giving a reading of 110mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – over three times the legal limit.
Interviewed the following day at Lurgan Police Station, Conway made full admissions to the matters before the court.
Defence barrister Conor Lunny commented that his client had made the “usual stupid decision”.
District Judge Bernie Kelly responded: “It is not a stupid decision at 110.”
This was accepted by My Lunny who stated that this was “compounded” by Conway fleeing the scene but added that the defendant had made admissions when approached by police.
District Judge Kelly commented: “He is incredibly lucky that it was only a direction sign he hit. Could you imagine if he hit a human being? Although he would be before an entirely different court.”
Conway was disqualified from driving for 15 months and was ordered to pay a fine of £550, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 12 weeks.
