A JUDGE has described a 76-year-old man’s dangerous driving charge as the “worst case I have ever seen, sitting, or been involved in, or been near a court, or been read about”.

Thomas Corrigan, with addresses of Main Street, Belcoo and Railway Street, Belcoo, was convicted of two counts of no insurance, dangerous driving, having no driving licence, driving without due care and attention, failing to provide a specimen of breath, driving while disqualified and excess alcohol in blood by Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes for incidents on September 15, 2019 and March 14, 2020.

The court heard that at around 6.15pm on September 15 police were tasked to a report of a possible drink-driver in the Newtownbutler area.

Police attended the area at around 7.30pm and observed a male sitting in the driver’s seat of a white Renault Kangoo van at Main Street.

Upon speaking with the defendant, it was noticed the vehicle keys were in the ignition and the engine was running. There was also a strong smell of alcohol, while Corrigan’s eyes were glazed and he struggled to communicate properly.

The 76-year-old failed a preliminary breath test (PBT). A blood sample taken showed 173mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood – more than twice the legal limit.

Corrigan accepted that he was driving the vehicle with a broken hand, was using his right hand to change gear, and was using his knees to steer.

On March 14, at around 6.35pm police were conducting a vehicle checkpoint on Main Street, Belcoo when a blue X-Type Jaguar was observed overtaking a lorry as it crossed the Border from the Republic.

It then abruptly braked in front of the lorry, before parking at the side of the road.

A male, Corrigan, was observed exiting the vehicle from the driver’s door; police approached and stopped Corrigan, and noticed a strong smell of alcohol. He was unsteady on his feet, his eyes were glazed and speech was slurred. He was identified as the defendant.

A PBT was conducted, which Corrigan failed, and he was arrested and brought to Omagh Police Station. He failed to provide an evidential sample, and checks revealed he had an interim driving disqualification issued against him from March 4, 2020.

Judge Holmes, describing the dangerous driving as the worst he has ever seen, added: “It’s about as bad as it gets. I mean – driving with your knees while completely and utterly legless, literally, is appalling! Absolutely appalling.”

Corrigan received a three-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, was disqualified from driving for five years, and was fined £900.