County Monaghan man made 'foolish decision' to drive - Derry court told
Stephen Ward (24) of Dunaree, Castleblaney, County Monaghan, refused to provide a breath specimen to police
A man who was asked to leave a hotel and made a 'foolish decision' to drive has appeared at Derry Magistrates' Court.
Stephen Ward (24) of Dunaree, Castleblaney, County Monaghan, was asked to leave the Ebrington Hotel in Derry on October 2 and called someone to take his car.
While waiting for them to arrive, Ward was still being asked to leave and decided to drive the car himself.
The car was seen to drive through a red light and police later observed a man matching Ward's description looking unsteady on his feet. He subsequently refused to provide a breath specimen to police.
Defence Barrister Stephen McNichol said that Ward had made a 'foolish decision' following an incident in the hotel, adding that he does not live in the jurisdiction and was staying in the hotel for the night.
He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £900.