Suspended sentence for driving while disqualified

Twenty two year old Gerard McConville, of Beech Court, Lurgan, was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years.

He was also fined £300 and banned for four years for driving with excess alcohol on June 2 and fined £500, with a concurrent four year ban, for not having insurance. As well he was ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

The court heard he was involved in a collision and there was a smell of drink on his breath. An evidential test gave a reading of 79. It was discovered he was a disqualified driver.

Mr Conor Dowey, representing the defendant, suggested that something should be left hanging over the defendant so that he knew that he simply could not get behind the wheel of a car.