Patrick Gerard McDonagh, 50, from Lisnahull Park, Dungannon, appeared before Dungannon Magistrates Court on a charge of driving with excess alcohol.

On February 12, police on patrol in the Quarry Lane area of Dungannon observed McDonagh driving a white van towards a checkpoint. Officers activated blue lights and sirens to stop the van after it passed the checkpoint.

Police noted a smell of intoxicating liquor from the vehicle. McDonagh failed a roadside breath test and was taken to Dungannon custody suite.

There, he recorded 84 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit stands at 35 micrograms.

Defence counsel stated McDonagh went to a pub intending not to drink but consumed alcohol and could not arrange a lift. He drove about half a mile towards home when stopped.

Counsel added that losing his licence would cause major disruption due to family needs and health appointments.

District Judge Francis Rafferty noted McDonagh's prior conviction for a similar offence in 2017. The judge fined McDonagh £250, added a £15 offender levy, and disqualified him from driving for 42 months.