A 55-year-old farmer has been fined £300 and banned from driving 18 months for drinking and driving.

Phillip Courtney, from Tattynageeragh, Rosslea, appeared at Fermanagh Court and admitted the offence.

A prosecutor explained that on Sunday, June 29, police saw Courtney driving into Carrowshee Park in Lisnaskea. He got out of his car and police noticed he was unsteady on his feet. The police approached him a short distance away and he admitted having just driven into the area. There was a smell of intoxicating liquor from him and he failed a preliminary breath test. He was arrested and taken to a police station where an evidential sample of his blood produced an alcohol reading of 204 - 124 in excess of the legal limit.

Defence solicitor Myles McManus said the high reading had to be accepted. Courtney had given a sample of blood because the breathalyser machine was not working.

Mr. McManus told the court the loss of his licence will have a serious impact on Courtney and his farming.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said he would give Courtney credit for his clear record and for dealing with the matter so quickly “but this was a high reading and that must be reflected in the penalty”.