A driver was put off the road for three years for being close to four times over the alcohol limit to drive when his case came before Judge Adrian Harris at Galway District Court.
Alex Heaton of 58 Cluain Dara, Knocknacarra, Galway, was observed driving his car by Gardaí on May 29 last. The Gardaí stopped him and formed the opinion he was under the influence of alcohol. A subsequent breath sample given after his arrest provided a reading of 86 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 22mg/100ml.
His defending solicitor said his client was 32 now, and before the incident in question a very good friend of his had died and the defendant had been struggling to deal with this. In a “misguided moment” he had driven when he shouldn’t have, and was meeting the charge full on. His client had been fully co-operative with Gardaí.
His solicitor said Heaton works full-time in the hospital training young doctors. He is a father and a soccer coach. Being put off the road would be difficult for him, but he was moving on with his life, had a new partner and had no previous convictions, the defence pleaded, adding that he had been struggling through a very difficult period when he was caught by Gardaí.
Judge Harris said he took into account that Heaton had no previous conviction and imposed the mandatory three-year driving disqualification and a fine of €500.
