A MOTORIST who pulled across the road in front of a garda car was stopped a short time later and found to be driving under the influence of alcohol.

Flor Murphy, solicitor, appeared at Bantry District Court on behalf of Cathal Collins (49) of Derreennaclough, Ballydehob, who was also charged with careless driving at Baurnahulla in Drimoleague on the night of July 18th.

Sgt Trish O’Sullivan said gardaí were on patrol in Drimoleague when the accused, who was driving a white van in the opposite direction, pulled across the road in front of the garda car and drove onto the Skibbereen Road, where it struck a footpath.

When gardaí approached the accused, at about 8.15pm, the sergeant said they found that his speech to be slurred, his eyes glassy, and a strong smell of intoxicating liquor from his breath.

The accused failed a breath test which carries a mandatory disqualification.

In mitigation, Mr Murphy said his client had been sober for six years, but had a relapse and ‘broke out’. The solicitor said the relapse was short-lived and his client is now, once again, sober and attending meetings.

Mr Murphy said his client, who is a carpenter by profession and lives in a rural area, will be under pressure without the use of his car.

Judge Joanne Carroll struck out the careless driving charge and did not impose a monetary penalty in respect of the drink driving charge.

She postponed the  three-year disqualification to December 22nd and ordered the accused to enter into a bond for 12-months, which would oblige him to cooperate with the probation service and attend alcohol treatment as advised by the service.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.