Irish driver asleep at wheel with incredible alcohol level in system
An Irish driver has been found, in the middle of the afternoon, asleep at the wheel with a huge level of alcohol in his system (File photo)
An Irish pensioner has been banned from driving for three years after he was found to have six times the legal alcohol limit in his system.
The 72-year-old was asleep in the driver’s seat of his car, with the engine still running and his dog in the vehicle.
Michael Costello, Kilkelly, Co Mayo, was disqualified from driving by Castlebar District Court yesterday.
Garda Kenneth Barrett told the court he found Mr Costello’s car parked by the side of the road at 4.30pm on July 31st last year.
Related News
His vehicle was blocking a driveway. When the garda went to investigate he found Mr Costello asleep at the wheel.
Advertisement
Garda Barrett managed to wake him but he was incoherent. He was taken to Claremorris Garda station to give a sample of blood for testing.
It was found to contain 304mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, in excess of six times the legal limit.
A bottle of wine on the day
The accused's solicitor said his client had consumed a bottle of wine in Kilkelly on the day in question.
While driving home he had been “overcome by sadness” and pulled in. And while at the side of the road he had fallen asleep in his car.
Judge Mary Devins questioned if Mr Costello had consumed more than a bottle of wine. The solicitor accepted he may have taken more than one bottle.
Mr Costello, the court was told, was remorseful and had been driving for more than 50 year. He was fined €400 and banned for three years.
Topics
