A man who was five times over the limit asked Gardai for a chance saying he was an “easy target.”
Joe McMonagle
Joe McMonagle said he was driving a friend home to Brockagh after a taxi driver had refused to drive them up a rural country road after they had been drinking in Ballybofey.
The 39 year old was stopped by Gardai on 9th February, 2013 at Galwolie, Cloghan.
McMonagle, from Meeatinney, Fintown, claimed he was only helping a friend when stopped by Gardai.
The farmer, who was already disqualified from driving when stopped, pleaded with Gardai for a chance saying he was an target for Gardai.
Gardai tried to perform a breath test on four occasions but McMonagle failed each times and his eventual urine sample showed a reading of 379 grams.
Solicitor Cormac Hartnett said there was nothing sinister or evasive about his client but rather he simply chose driving as a poor alternative.
Judge Paul Kelly said McMonagle had put himself in a very difficult position.
“It was a generous thing to do (leaving the friend home) but it has got you in a terrible position,” he said.
He sentenced McMonagle to four months in prison but suspended it for two years
He said he was also required to impose the mandatory six year driving ban.