A motorist who had taken alcohol after being at the Balmoral Show was detected drink driving after police saw a Volkswagen Amarok go onto the hard shoulder and “kick up dirt” as it passed Junction 12 at The Birches on the M1 motorway.
Glenn McKinley (26), of Ballynahatty Road, Omagh, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol in breath in connection with 8.40pm on May 14 this year.
A prosecutor told Craigavon Magistrates’ Court police saw the defendant pass “at speed” and added: “The vehicle was observed to drive onto the hard shoulder kicking up dirt and debris”.
The defendant was stopped and had an evidential alcohol in breath reading of 92 – the legal limit is 35.
A defence solicitor said references were provided from the defendant’s employer and also from a person at a rugby team he plays for.
The lawyer said it had been an “out of character offence”.
He said the defendant had been “working for his employer at Balmoral Show” and “hadn’t eaten all day”.
The court was told the defendant “unexpectedly bumped into friends of his at the end of the day. He consumed alcohol and then made a very stupid decision to drive home”.
The lawyer said the defendant’s job in a “sales role involves driving” and a ban could impact his employment.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said it had been a “very high reading” and banned the defendant from driving for 14 months along with a £200 fine.
