A Lurgan man who turned himself in to police for breaching his bail gave a breath reading of 137mg at 12.45pm in afternoon, a court has heard.
Christopher McDaid gave a breath reading of 137 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – which is almost four times the drink-driving limit of 35mgs.
The 32-year-old, of Dill Avenue, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, via video-link from Banbridge Custody Suite, for the purposes of a breach of bail hearing.
He is charged with a litany of offences which are alleged to have occurred on September 7 of this year, namely, three counts of assault on police, one count of criminal damage and one count of disorderly behaviour.
On hearing that McDaid had breached bail, District Judge Bernie Kelly said that the defendant, who was supposed to remain alcohol-free, was now “going to end up in custody for Christmas”.
On outlining their objections to the defendant being granted further bail, police said that while the defendant did present himself to Lurgan custody, he was breathalysed at the station, with the result being 137mgs.
District Judge Kelly was audibly shocked when police told how the reading was taken at quarter to one in the afternoon.
Police added that the defendant had 10 previous breaches of bail and 43 previous convictions.
District Judge Kelly commented: “It has been my experience particularly of recent times and particularly in this court that for people with Mr McDaid’s problem, that sometimes it takes a period of, if I’m allowed to use the phrase, drying out, to bring them to a mental position where they can then contemplate taking up various supports.”
The defence noted that the defendant had turned himself in, rather than got himself into “another charge sheet position”.
District Judge Kelly replied: “That could also be called a cry for help as well, when he’s blowing 137 at that time of the day.
“It seems that alcohol misuse and his offending behaviour seem to go hand in hand.”
District Judge Kelly said that she did not deem the defendant a suitable candidate for bail, but said that he had the right to appeal that decision.
“Maybe the High Court Judges, in the spirit of the festive season, may take an entirely different outlook on him,” District Judge Kelly added.
The case was adjourned until December 29.
