A 61-year-old man has been disqualified from driving after he crashed into a wall while over three times the legal alcohol limit, Lisburn Magistrates' Court was told. Emmanuel Joseph Hanna, of Sans Souci Gardens, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol following the collision on May 27, 2026.

Police attended the single-vehicle crash on the Antrim Road. Hanna admitted he was the driver and said he had taken a corner too sharply, causing his car to hit the wall. A roadside breath test recorded 125 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

The court heard that Hanna had been drinking alone at home when he received a phone call informing him his son had been found unconscious and was in intensive care. His son died shortly afterwards. The defence solicitor said Hanna could not reach anyone and decided to drive to the hospital because he did not want his son to be alone at the end.

District Judge Rosie Watters imposed a 12-month driving ban, which can be reduced to nine months if Hanna completes a drink-driving rehabilitation course. He was also fined £250 and ordered to pay a £15 offender levy.