A young provisional driver in Donegal has been disqualified after being caught behind the while over eight times the legal drink-drive limit.
Daithi Pearson was put off the road for three years when he appeared at Ballyshannon District Court.
Pearson, a 19-year-old of Cloigher, Barnesmore, Donegal Town, was before the court over an incident on January 1, 2026 at Rosscanlon, Ballintra.
Garda Inspector Tony Byrne outlined to the court how Gardai saw a vehicle being driven “in an erratic manner” at 12.05am.
Gardai stopped Pearson, who was later arrested and conveyed to Ballyshannon Garda Station.
A sample showed a concentration of 78 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit for learner drivers is 9 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
Pearson was charged with an offence contrary to section 4 (4) (b) and 4 (5) of the Road Traffic Act, 2010.
Mr Gerry McGovern, Pearson’s solicitor, said that his client, who is working as a carpenter, cooperated fully with Gardai and has pleaded guilty.
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Judge Éiteáin Cunningham fined Pearson €250 and allowed him four months to pay. Judge Cunningham also disqualified Pearson from driving for a period of three years.
Judge Cunningham said: “He is a very young man for a conviction of that nature and obviously the disqualification that follows. I hope he takes stock of this type of offending behaviour.”