South Longford drink driver (60) fails with his bid to overturn disqualification

An application to overturn a decision to impose a two year disqualification on a drink driver at Longford District Court was unsuccessful and the initial road ban was upheld following an appeal to the Circuit Court.

William Forbes (60) of Derry, Ballymahon, Co Longford received the two year ban in November 2024.

Garda David Gerrity was on patrol on Park Road at 1.50am on January 11, 2024 when he observed a car crossing the continuous white line and he followed it to Teffia Park and activated the siren but the defendant failed to stop before eventually stopping at Hanlon's Service Station.

Garda Gerrity said Mr Forbes' eyes were glassy and his speech was slurred and he got a smell of alcohol from him and he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

Evidence was given Mr Forbes was shown how to use the Evidenser machine and he had an alcohol concentration of 55 micrograms per 100 millilitres in his system. The limit is 22 micrograms.

Judge Jonathan Dunphy decided to retain the two year ban but reduced the fine from €350 to €150.

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