A Garda caught a suspected drink-driver after feeling the bonnet of his car was warm in a petrol station forecourt.
Brian MacCuillin, 65, of 189 Culmore Road, Derry, appeared in court charged with drink driving at Ballyderowen, Burnfoot, on February 5, 2017.
The court heard that MacCuillin had a breath alcohol reading of 89mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath – putting him more than four times over the limit.
Garda Inspector David Murphy said Garda Mooney received a report a suspected drink driver in the Burnfoot area.
He said he encountered the car in question at a filling station in Burnfoot village .
“Garda Mooney said the bonnet of the car was warm and when the driver, Mr. MacCullin, came out of the shop he was unsteady on his feet and got into the driver seat,” Insp. Murphy outlined.
“When he was questioned he admitted he drove to the location and that he had been drinking that day, his response to Gda. Mooney was ‘you got me’.”
Insp. Murphy said at the Garda Station the Derry man provided a drink driving limit of 89mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.
Defence solicitor David Henry said his client was a married man who lives in Derry but was coming from his holiday home at Carrigart at the time of detection.
He said MacCullin is a carer for his elderly parents and pleaded guilty at the outset of the case.
Mr. Henry said MacCullin had no previous convictions and was co-operative and helpful with gardaí.
Judge Paul Kelly fined the Derry man €300 and banned him from driving for three years.