A 46-year-old Enniskillen man faces a six month probation order and has been disqualified from driving for two years following a recent sitting of Fermanagh Magistrate's Court.

District Judge Liam McNally heard how on Wednesday, 16th January, the defendant, Gerard Houston from Kilmacormick Avenue was seen in a small white car. The engine was still running and the keys were in the ignition. When approached by police his eyes were glazed, his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. A subsequent breath test showed he had 110 micrograms of alcohol in 100 milligrams of breath.

The Court also heard how following several incidents in which he was warned on the 12th May, the same defendant continued to be abusive towards police on the Cornagrade Road shouting and sticking up his fingers at police.

Defending, Garry Smyth asked the Court for credit for Houston's early plea in respect of both matters. He submitted that his client was not a man without his difficulties which was set out in the probation report before the Court. He said he had an alcohol problem and had a considerable amount of alcohol at the time he was arrested. In relation to the disorderly behaviour offence, Mr Smyth said his client had nowhere to stay at the time and had gone to the police station but they could not help him. He later came to police attention on the Cornagrade Road where he was arrested for the offence. In relation to the offence of being in charge of a motor vehicle when over the legal alcohol limit, Mr Smyth said Houston had no place to stay and that was why he was in the car. He had since disposed of the car. He now wanted to put his pattern of re-offending behind him. He submitted that there were some positive influences in Houston's life and said he attended a New Horizon's programme.

District Judge McNally acknowledged that the defendant was doing something constructive in light of his problem. In respect of the drinking when in charge of a car, he imposed a six month probation order and a two year driving ban. For being disorderly, he imposed six months probation.