A man who refused to provide a specimen of breath following his arrest has been disqualified from driving for a year.

Kevin Timmons (61), with an address at Knockninny Park, Derrylin was convicted of failing to provide a specimen and driving without due care and attention.

The court heard on June 30, 2019 police responded to a report from a member of the public in Derrylin.

They were travelling along the Main Street in the village heading towards Enniskillen when a Ford Focus some two to three car lengths away pulled out from a junction on the right forcing them to brake hard to avoid a collision. The reporting party beeped at the car which resulted in the defendant stop the car, get out and shout that the reporting party was speeding.

The reporting party followed the car to the Centra shop were Timmons got out of the car, staggered into the shop before returning to the car.

The same thing happened at the Spar shop further down the road before he drove to the off-licence before driving back in the direction he came from and parking his car outside a house in Knockninny Park.

Police arrived shortly after and arrested Timmons. He was brought to Omagh Police Station were he refused to give an evidential specimen and made no admissions. When asked why he refused to give a specimen he said he believed police had no right to enter his house.

Representing Timmons, Sean McHugh told the court at the time of the incident, his client was residing in a house with his disabled partner and was feeling under considerable stress and pressure and also suffered from a number of medical conditions.

Mr. McHugh said it was a situation Timmons had not encountered before and he panicked and did not deal with it well. He added that it could have been nipped in the bud quite easily and that the defendant’s opinion differed from that of the other driver.

District Judge Steven Keown gave Timmons credit for his early plea and clear record before disqualifying him for 12 months as well as fining him £300.