Three-year ban for Donegal man caught four times over legal limit

A Letterkenny man caught driving while over four times the legal drink-drive limit has been put off the road for three years.

Colm Nibbs was before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday in connection with an incident at Coolcholly, Ballyshannon on February 18, 2023.

Nibbs, a 46-year-old with an address at Rathdonnell, Trentagh, was stopped driving a Vauxhall Insignia and gardai formed the opinion that the defendant was driving while under the influence of an intoxicant.

Nibbs was arrested and a blood sample showed a concentration of 212 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The limit is 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

Mr Kieran O'Gorman, solicitor for Nibbs, said his client is an IT manager who works in Dublin and a driving ban would 'cause him quite serious trouble'.

Mr O'Gorman said Nibbs was a father of two who lost one of his children tragically.

Mr O'Gorman sought a postponement for the disqualification, which he said could impact Nibbs' employment.

Judge Patricia Cronin noted the guilty plea by Nibbs, who has one previous conviction for a speeding offence, the court heard.

Judge Cronin convicted Cronin and imposed a €250 fine, allowing six months to pay.

Nibbs was banned from driving for three years with the disqualification to begin on August 1.