A Newtownhamilton provisional licence holder who was caught driving his mother’s car whilst over the limit and without insurance has been handed a 12 month disqualification.
The 31-year-old’s legal representative told court: “He has instructed he has undergone the theory test on a number of occasions but has been unable to pass.”
Patrick Michael Keenan, of Meadowvale, had pleas of guilty entered on his behalf to driving with excess alcohol, taking a vehicle without authority, using a vehicle without insurance, not displaying L plates and being an unaccompanied L driver at Newry Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecution outlined that on April 12, at 4.10am, police stopped a Vauxhall Astra being driven by the defendant as it entered Newtownhamilton.
Officers spoke to Keenan, who appeared intoxicated, and he admitted to having had a few drinks.
He also informed police that the car belonged to his mother, that he was not insured to drive it and only held a provisional licence.
The officers observed that the vehicle was not displaying L plates and there was no one else present inside.
A preliminary breath test was conducted resulting in a fail. A subsequent evidential sample obtained at Lurgan Custody Suite gave a reading of 84mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.
Prosecution outlined that Keenan had one previous for taking a vehicle without authority, obstruction, not displaying L plates and being an unaccompanied L driver from 2015.
Defence counsel stated: “He does only hold a provisional licence. He has instructed he has undergone the theory test on a number of occasions but has been unable to pass.
“On this occasion, he consumed alcohol, went out in his mother’s car and he has admitted guilt at the earliest possible juncture.”
District Judge Eamonn King commented: “He would need to address his motoring matters or he could come into difficulty in the future.”
Keenan was disqualified from driving for 12 months and was ordered to pay a fine of £500, along with the offender’s levy of £15.
