Drink-driver went wrong way on Ballygawley roundabout

POLICE officers were alerted to a driver who was over the alcohol limit when they observed a Vauxhall Corsa traveling the wrong way around the Ballygawley roundabout.

District Judge, Michael Ranaghan expressed surprise that the Prosecution Service charged Derek Ian Smyth (43) of Fortview Terrace, Cookstown with careless driving rather than dangerous driving.

Smyth was disqualified from driving for 18 months and fined £300. He admitted driving while unfit through alcohol, careless driving and driving without insurance.

In the early hours of January 9, police used lights and a siren to signal him to stop after he drove the wrong way round the roundabout.

The court was told the windows of the car were steamed and difficult to see out of and Smyth’s eyes were glazed.

When stopped, he wiped the windows and said to the officers, “You wouldn’t see out of them.”

He provided an evidential breath sample that recorded an alcohol reading of 59 micrograms, 26mgs in excess of the legal limit.

Imposing the disqualification and fine, Judge Ranaghan said, “That man should have been nowhere near a road and certainly not driving the wrong way round a roundabout and putting everyone at risk”