A 34-YEAR-OLD man who was caught drink-driving in Belcoo had received a call to take his terminally-ill father to the hospital “for the last time”, Fermanagh Magistrates Court has heard.

Brendan Somers, of Lurganboy, Manorhamilton, county Leitrim, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol in his breath at Main Street, Belcoo on March 28 this year.

The court heard that, at 12.45am, the defendant, who was driving a white Nissan van, was stopped by a police checkpoint. Officers observed that his motions were “slow” and suspected that he may have consumed alcohol.

After failing a preliminary breath test, the defendant was arrested and conveyed to Enniskillen custody suite.

A further evidential breath test returned a lower reading of 92 micrograms of alcohol in 100 ml of breath – over two-and-a-half times in excess of the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

Defending solicitor, Julie Cooper, told the court that her client worked as a courier and lived in Leitrim with his family, adding that his partner didn't drive.

In mitigation, the solicitor said that Somers had been caring for his terminally-ill father and, on the day in question, had been called to take him to the hospital “for the last time”.

Ms Cooper said that the defendant had “no excuse” for the offending and wanted to apologise for his behaviour.

Urging the judge to give him credit for his early guilty plea and cooperation with the police, Ms Cooper asked for him to be certified for the drink-driving course.

Deputy district judge O'Hare observed that, while there was no bad driving in the case, the defendant's reading had been “very high”.

Mr O'Hare imposed a £350 fine, a £15 offender levy and an 18-month driving disqualification.

The defendant was then certified as a suitable candidate for the drink-driving course and will be eligible for a discount on his ban of up to 25 per cent upon successful completion.