A Portadown man can “count himself lucky” after being handed a four-week disqualification for travelling at over 100mph on the motorway.
Court heard that when stopped by police the 35-year-old stated that he had “other stuff” going on in his head.
Mark McNally, of Ballyoran Heights, pleaded guilty to excess speed at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
It was heard that on January 13, at 8.55 am, an unmarked police car detected the defendant driving a white Mercedes on the M1 at an average speed of 102mph.
McNally was subsequently stopped and when cautioned replied: “I’m sorry like I’ve other stuff going on in my head.”
Defence solicitor Peter Murphy stated: “He was on his way to Ballymena. This is a man who has been working for 17 or 18 years and driving for the same length of time.
“This is totally unexpected for him and he is upset at the prospect of losing his licence.”
District Judge Bernie Kelly said: “He has to lose his licence for over 100mph, he told police he had other things going on in his head so he was also not concentrating at that speed.”
McNally was disqualified from driving for four weeks and ordered to pay a fine of £120, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within four weeks.
Following the sentence, District Judge Kelly commented: “And he can count himself lucky.”
