Drunk motorist was 'sleeping it off' in car park of Limerick service station
A GARDA sergeant discovered a man drunk behind the wheel in the car-park of a filling station, Kilmallock Court heard.
David Callinan, aged 46, who previously gave an address in Ennis, Co Clare and is now of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to being drunk in charge of a vehicle at O’Rourke’s Cross, Bruree on May 3, 2022.
Inspector Liam Wallace said Sergeant Martin Concannon encountered the defendant in a vehicle in a public car-park.
“He was intoxicated. He was arrested, conveyed to Bruff garda station and due process followed. The reading was 116mgs of alcohol per 100mls of breath,” said Inspector Wallace, who added that Mr Callinan has one previous conviction for driving under the influence of an intoxicant.
Con Barry, solicitor for Mr Callinan, said his client has a drink problem.
“There is no way of getting away from that. He was sleeping it off but it is accepted he was technically in charge. He has met matters very fairly,” said Mr Barry.
Sgt Concannon said Mr Callinan was co-operative on the day.
Judge Patricia Harney fined the defendant €250 and disqualified him from driving for four years.