A 41-year-old Enniskillen man, who was detected moving his car a short distance and then failed to produce a sample of breath faces a £250 fine following a recent sitting of Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

Resident Magistrate Liam McNally heard how on 27th June this year, police on mobile patrol in Enniskillen had approached Forthill Street when they observed a male walking on the footpath who they believed to be very intoxicated.

On their return, they observed a man in an Audi move the vehicle from Forthill Street to a car park off Railway Business Park, Holyhill, and they recognised the man to be the person they saw staggering earlier.

When the man, the defendant, Maurice Lynch from Windmill Heights, got out of the vehicle, he was unable to lock it with the keys. He was then cautioned for the offence and taken to Enniskillen Police Station where he failed to provide a sample of breath.

Defending, Bernard Corrigan explained that on the night in question, his client was parking his car up for the night. He submitted that the defendant had been drinking in the Railway Hotel and was concerned about vandalism. He said the car park was on Holyhill Road, a short distance form the hotel and that his client was driving into a retail park when he was seen by police.

Mr Corrigan suggested that the total driving distance was very short. Mr McNally imposed a 15 month driving ban and a £250 fine.