A MOTORIST who crashed his van near Coppeen, Enniskeane has been disqualified from driving for two years.

Jamie Hills (29) of Garringreen, Kilkenny did not appear at Bandon District Court because he has moved back to the UK but was represented by his solicitor Myra Dinneen.

Postman Oisín Corcoran told the court that he was delivering post at around 2.30pm on November 10th last near Coppeen and when he came back from a house he saw a white van in the ditch. ‘It was turned over on its side and it wasn’t there five minutes earlier when I had passed. There was no one in the van or around it so I rang my aunt who lives next door and she then rang gardaí to report the matter,’ said Mr Corcoran. Gda Kieran Hayes said: ‘On arrival at the scene I came across the empty van and there was an unopened bottle of vodka on a seat inside. We searched the area but couldn’t find the owner,’ said Gda Hayes.

He said he carried out a number of enquiries while at the scene and wen to Moneygaff West, Coppeen where he met the accused.

‘He was waiting at the side of the road and admitted he was driving the van and that a collision occurred. While speaking to him I got a strong smell of drink and formed the opinion that he had been driving while under the influence of an intoxicant and arrested him.’

Mr Hills was conveyed to Bandon Garda Station where a breath sample taken from him gave a reading of 66mcgs of alcohol per 100mls of breath. Judge Carroll disqualified him from driving for two years fixing recognisances in the event of an appeal.