In a recent hearing at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court, a 39-year-old man has been disqualified from driving after being found asleep in the front seat of his car, which was parked at the Riverside Retail Park.
Daire Buckley, from Bellaght Park, Dunloy, pleaded guilty to the charge of excess alcohol on Monday, 6 July.
The court heard that on 14 June, Buckley was observed struggling to enter his blue Peugeot 308, despite ample space, before he was seen vomiting at the rear of the vehicle. Witnesses reported that he then climbed into the front seat and fell asleep.
Upon arrival, police discovered Buckley, the sole occupant of the vehicle, asleep inside. He was arrested for driving with excess alcohol and taken to the Waterside custody suite. An evidential breath test revealed that he had a reading of 80 micrograms of alcohol per 100 ml of breath, significantly above the legal limit.
In his defence, Buckley’s barrister outlined that the defendant was experiencing personal difficulties, presenting a letter from his GP to the court. Furthermore, it was highlighted that Buckley made frequent journeys to Co Meath to see his son, with the barrister claiming that the disqualification would have the “biggest impact” on him.
Deputy District Judge Nigel Dunlop, in sentencing Buckley, acknowledged his guilty plea, stating, “Give him maximum credit for his plea on the first occasion. A fine of £300 and, although the reading is high, I will limit the disqualification to the minimum of 12 months.”
In addition to the disqualification, the court imposed a £15 offender’s levy on Buckley.