A driver involved in a road traffic collision the week before Christmas was more than twice over the legal drink driving limit, a court has heard.

On December 18 last, at around 4.12pm police received a report of a crash at Enniskillen Road, Irvinestown involving a Vauxhall Mokka.

An off-duty police officer had reported the crash and when on-duty officers arrived they spoke to the driver of the Mokka – Paul McKenna (28), with an address of Main Street, Augher.

McKenna appeared heavily intoxicated when exiting the vehicle, Enniskillen Magistrates Court heard on Monday.

He failed a preliminary breath test and after he was taken to Omagh Police Station, he gave an evidential reading of 79mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

McKenna’s solicitor, Gary Black, told the court that, thankfully, no other road user was involved, but McKenna was regretful the incident had occurred.

He said McKenna had only consumed a little bit of alcohol on the day itself, but having been drinking the day before, he had been “topping up” on this, on the day in question.

Mr. Black also asked the court to give McKenna credit for his guilty plea and cooperation with the police.

Taking into account how McKenna met the matter, and all that was said on his behalf by Mr. Black, District Judge Alana McSorley gave him a 12-month driving disqualification, and a £200 fine for driving with excess alcohol in his breath.