Lights out for Letterkenny drink-driver who was three times over legal limit
A Garda Sergeant told the Letterkenny District Court that he was on mobile patrol when his attention was drawn to a car which was driving 'at pace' with no lights on the front or the back
A man spotted driving at night without any lights on his car in Letterkenny was found to be more than three times the drink-driving limit.
Fildex Mathew was disqualified from driving for three years when he appeared at Letterkenny District Court.
The 36-year-old was charged with drink-driving and he pleaded guilty. A charge of dangerous driving against Mathew was withdrawn.
Sergeant Eamon Roarty told the court that he was on mobile patrol when his attention was drawn to a blue Nissan Qashqai, which was driving through the Gortlee area of Letterkenny with no lights on the front or the back. He said the vehicle was going “at pace”.
After being stopped, Mathew was arrested and conveyed to Letterkenny Garda Station.
Mathew, of Thornberry, Letterkenny, provided a sample of blood which showed a concentration of 185 mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
Mathew, who has no previous convictions, was said to have been cooperative at all times with Gardai.
Mr Frank Dorrian, solicitor for Mathew, said his client was taking the matter “extremely seriously” and said this incident represented an “aberration”.
“There is no pattern of this,” Mr Dorrian said, adding that Mathew, who was aided by an interpreter in court, is an otherwise “excellent” character.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said the reading was “on the upper end”.
Mathew was fined €200 and given five months to pay. He was also disqualified from driving for a period of three years.