A 68-year-old man who drove his car while over the legal alcohol limit was disqualified from driving for three years, Skibbereen District Court heard.

Martin O’Driscoll, (68), of Ballyinchy, Baltimore, appeared in court and pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy said that on November 6th 2025 at 12.40pm, gardaí on patrol observed a red Citroen in Baltimore that was being driven in a dangerous manner. Officers then followed the car.

‘On the R595 gardaí observed the vehicle driving erratically and Mr O’Driscoll was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and taken to the garda station,’ he said.

Sgt Mulcahy added that Mr O’Driscoll provided two breath tests, which were both over the legal alcohol limit.

Defence solicitor Colette McCarthy said: ‘He is a married gentleman and had had a few drinks in the village before driving home.

'He is a respectable gentleman who suffered an injury recently and he has a number of medical appointments to attend.’

The court heard that Mr O’Driscoll had no previous convictions. Judge Joanne Carroll disqualified Mr O’Driscoll from driving for three years, postponing the sentence to June 1st 2026 so he could attend medical appointments.

Judge Carroll struck out a separate charge for dangerous driving.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.