A 38-year-old Trillick man who was found in charge of a vehicle when over the legal alcohol limit has fined £300 at Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

District Judge Liam McNally heard how on August 30, a vehicle was parked at a lay-by at Maguiresbridge Road, Lisnaskea. The defendant, Samuel Farrell from Rosnareen Road, was observed staggering towards the vehicle before getting into the driver's seat. He was spoken to by police and it was noted that his eyes were glazed, his speech was slurred and there was a strong smell of intoxicating liquor of his breath. He failed a preliminary breath test and a subsequent evidential sample revealed 95 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

Defending, Sean McHugh said the offence occurred on a bank holiday weekend when his client had been socialising with friends. He said he went to the car to pick up his belongings and work clothes from the car. He said there was no attempt to drive the vehicle. He was going to go to his estranged wife's house in Lisnaskea and from there get a lift home.

Mr McHugh said his client had a relevant record but added that there was nothing of this nature on it. He said Farrell had two children aged eight and three and was a window cleaner by trade. He said his licence was essential to him. Mr McHugh said he had been driving for 20 years and had entered an early plea.

Mr McNally said he would consider the facts that there was nothing of this nature on Farrell's record, there was no indication that the defendant had put the key in the ignition or put the car on. He said he had entered a guilty plea. For these reasons he said he would not disqualify him. He imposed a £300 fine and endorsed 10 penalty points on his licence.