A Donegal man has been disqualified from driving for 12 months at Fermanagh Magistrates' Court after he was found to be over the legal limit while driving to work in Dublin.

Steven Boyle from Manaragan, Ardara, Co. Donegal was stopped by police on November 12, 2018 at a checkpoint on the Irvinestown Road, Enniskillen at around 11am.

Police at the checkpoint detected the smell of alcohol in his breath, bloodshot eyes and he was slurring his words. A preliminary breath test came back with a reading of 56mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

The 30-year-old was arrested and taken to a police station where an evidential breath test showed 59mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. Boyle was charged but made no reply.

Defending solicitor for Boyle, Gary Black told the court that this was a routine checkpoint and that his client had not been singled out due to his vehicle or anything else. It was only when talking to the defendant that police became aware of the smell of alcohol.

Mr. Black said his client was employed in Dublin and would usually leave at around 4.30am every morning for work from his home in Donegal. However, the previous night Boyle was at a local festival and delayed his departure for work until 9.30am. He said the defendant felt in a fit state to drive. Mr. Black added that disqualification would have a significant impact on Boyle travelling to work and may bring restrictions on his earning capacity and asked the court to take into consideration Boyle's clear record and early guilty plea.

In handing Boyle the disqualification, District Judge Michael Ranahan said that the reading was not particularly high. He also fined Boyle £200 and recommended him for a certified drink drivers course which on completion will reduce Boyle's disqualification by 25 per cent.