A Kesh motorist faces the next four months in prison, a £500 fine, and a disqualification from driving for the next seven years, after he appeared at Fermanagh Magistrate's Court charged with failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis. He had been stopped by police, who suspected that he had been driving after drinking.

Fermanagh Magistrates Court was told that Patrick Cassidy, (47) from Crevenish Park, was detected in December last year when the officers noticed him driving his 4x4 vehicle erratically, and swerving across the central white line in the middle of the road.

Officers stopped him and noticed the smelt of intoxicating liquor. He was arrested and taken to the police station where he failed to provide a specimen of breath for police to analyse.

SIGNIFICANT

Defending, Nessa Murnaghan admitted that her client 'does have quite a significant record', but said he had not committed any offences since 2000.

Ms Murnaghan also submitted that Cassidy had managed to 'stay off drink for three years, however, he had slipped off the wagon and now found himself before the court again.

Imposing sentence, the RM Liam McNally, told Cassidy that he was in breach of his bail conditions for another offence, which required him not to travel in any vehicle other than a taxi or a bus and not to consume alcohol.

Mr McNally noted that Cassidy had five previous convictions for drink driving, and told him, "You have been given a number of chances over the years. On your fifth conviction, you were given a suspended sentence, and the next step up from that is immediate custody."

Cassidy indicated that he wished to appeal the sentence and bail for appeal was set at £500.