A 32-year-old driver had five or six pints and suddenly tried to start his car after being stopped by the police, Fermanagh Court has been told.

Shane Carey, of Derrygannon, Rosslea, was fined �300 and banned from driving for 15 months when he admitted driving with excess alcohol.

A prosecutor told the court that on Saturday, October 13, police received a report of a suspicious vehicle on the Loop Road at Newtownbutler. A two car patrol was in the area at approximately 4.25am when one of them spotted Carey driving towards the Magheraveely Road and sent a radio message to the second patrol and it stopped the vehicle. Carey's eyes were glazed and there was a strong smell of intoxicating liquor from him. He suddenly tried to start the car by reaching forward but a police officer took hold of his arm. The vehicle was seized and Carey was taken to Enniskillen Police Station where a sample of his breath produced an alcohol reading of 97 - almost three times the legal limit of 35.

Defence barrister Steffan Rafferty said Carey was not normally a drinker but on this occasion had five or six pints over three or four hours. The unemployed heavy goods vehicle driver was travelling from Clones on a Republic of Ireland licence when he was stopped.