A nineteen year old Garrison man has been fined £250 and disqualified from driving following a conviction for driving with excess alcohol.

Niall Thomas McManus, with an address at Barr of Drumgormly, Garrison appeared before a recent sitting of Fermanagh Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to the charge.

The court heard that in the early hours of 16th June last year police were on mobile patrol at Main Street, Belleek when they observed the defendant revving the engine of a vehicle. He proceeded to take off with tyres squealing before pulling up behind the police car.

At this point police spoke to the defendant and noticed he smelt of intoxicating liquor.

The defendant failed a preliminary breath test and was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. He later provided two evidential breath specimens, the lower reading being 77mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

Defending, Aubrey Murray told the court his client had a southern driving licence and that he was a nineteen year old single man who had not come before the court before.

Mr Murray said the defendant had been out drinking and taking the car out was him 'acting on impulse', something he now accepts was very foolish.

Mr Murray said the defendant only drove for a few hundred yards. The defendant lives in a rural area and, the court was told, he works in the building trade.

Sentencing, Resident Magistrate Neil Rafferty told the defendant he had to disqualify him from driving for the mandatory 12 months, telling him 'you were twice over the limit'. A £250 fine was also imposed.