Hefty penalty for drunk driving
The defendant pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court.
A motorist crashed while five times over the legal alcohol limit.
Ionel Acatincal, aged 35, of Elm Park, Claremorris, pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court to drunk driving.
At a previous hearing, the court heard that Gda Joe Newell attended the scene of a single-vehicle car accident at Dalton Street, Claremorris, at 9pm on September 10, 2022, and observed a crashed BMW car with significant damage to the driver’s side.
Gda Newell arrested the defendant on suspicion of drunk driving and took him to the local garda station where Acatincal provided a urine sample that showed a reading of 344mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine. The legal limit is 67mg.
Acatincal, a married father of two, had been celebrating his birthday. He has no previous convictions and was insured.
Last Wednesday, solicitor Brian Jennings informed Judge Fiona Lydon that Acatincal had completed the Pro-Social driving course. He also assessed by the Probation Service and deemed to be at a low risk of reoffending.
Mr Jennings said the factory worker was not confident he would keep his job due to the mandatory driving ban.
Judge Fiona Lydon imposed a three-year ban and a fine of €1,000.
