Motorist was four times over legal alcohol limit when found in crashed car
The court heard that the defendant was four times over the legal alcohol limit when arrested.
A suspected drunk driver was found with cannabis when arrested.
Joe Evans, aged 66, of Culmore, Foxford pleaded guilty at Ballina District Court to drunk driving at Leckee, Foxford, on December 23, 2022.
Sgt Conor McShane said Gardaí received a report at 2.30am on the date in question of a car parked in a dangerous location after it had crashed against a barrier on the main road between Foxford and Straide.
Gda Patrick Donohoe went to the scene and found the defendant slumped over the steering wheel with the key in the ignition. He arrested Evans on suspicion of drunk driving and took him to Ballina Garda Station.
A blood test revealed a reading of 201 milligrammes of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 50 milligrammes. Cannabis valued at €37 was found when he was searched.
Evans has three previous convictions including one for failing to provide a sample of breath, blood or urine.
Solicitor Peter Loftus said his client is a retired construction worker who accepts he has a problem with alcohol. He used cannabis for pain relief.
“He has a problem with his knee and was told by a friend it might help the pain,” Mr Loftus added, prompting Judge Fiona Lydon to ask: “Where would a 66-year-old man get drugs?"
Mr Loftus said Evans did not get the drugs from his friend but from someone else.
Adjourning the case to February 27 next, Judge Lydon ordered Evans to complete the Prime for Life drug intervention course and requested a pre-sanction report. She also advised the defendant to "speak to a doctor instead of self-medicating".
