By Melissa Towell
Reporter
A drink driver who was over twice the legal limit has been banned from driving for 15 months.
Martin Barr, 21, of Spallan Road was detected on Duke Street on April 17 last.
Officers noted the defendant’s eyes were glazed and his speech was slurred. He failed a preliminary breath test and taken to Strand Road police station.
An evidential specimen of breath was then taken and this recorded a lower reading of 78mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, 43mg in excess of the legal limit.
It was also discovered that the defendant was disqualified driver.
Defence solicitor Paddy McGurk stated his client accepted he shouldn’t have been driving at all never mind with alcohol.
He continued he has now come to terms with the fact he wouldn’t be driving again for a considerable period of time.
He urged the district judge to give credit for the manner in which he has dealt with the matter.
Barr was fined £200 for driving with excess alcohol and was disqualified from driving for 15 months. He was also told this would be reduced to 12 months on successful completion of a drink driver’s course.
The defendant was given a probation order for 18 months for driving whilst disqualified and was banned for 12 months concurrent.
He was also fined £200 for driving without insurance.