Mayobridge man drove car into ditch

FINES and a period of disqualification from driving have been handed down in the case of a Mayobridge man who Newry Magistrates heard drove his car into a ditch whilst under the influence. Standing in the dock of the court to an answer for a single charge of driving with excess alcohol in his breathe was Ronan McStay (39) of Coyles Hill Mayobridge.

The court heard how at 11.15pm on September 17 of this year police responded to a report of a damage only single vehicle road traffic collision that took place within the vicinity of the Rostrevor Road Hilltown. Upon arrival police would come across the defendant, McStay, who claimed he had been driving the vehicle.

A breath test would provide officers with a reading of 142miligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres in breathe.

Addressing the court defence in the case would provide context to the single offence McStay faced stating that he had been drinking at a friend's house who lived only a short distance away from his home and took the foolish decision to drive home before crashing his car into a ditch along the Rostrevor Road as a result of his intoxication.

Given the fact that McStay appeared before the court with no previous record of offending and that he had entered a plea at the earliest opportunity Deputy District Judge Rice opted to afford the Mayobridge man with as much leniency as is possible in a case such as his. Unfortunately this still meant that McStay would be subjected to a one year driving disqualification whilst also having to pay a fine of £300.