A man has been given a six-month suspended prison sentence and put off the road for six years after his part in a road traffic collision in Bundoran.
James Waldron pleaded guilty to careless driving and to refusing to provide a breath specimen.
Waldon appeared before Judge Ciaran Liddy at Friday’s sitting of Ballyshannon District Court.
Inspector Angela Cummins told the court that gardai were called to attend a road traffic collision at West End Bundoran, at 12.10am on August 26, 2023.
The driver of a Skoda Superb recalled to gardai at the scene that he was driving to Bundoran when another vehicle, travelling in the opposite direction, collided with a a grey BMW, which was parked.
The collision propelled the Transit Connect being driven by Waldron across the road causing a head-on collision.
Gardai arrested Waldron, aged 40 and of Lugnagal, Glencar, Sligo, on suspicion of drink-driving. After being conveyed to Ballyshannon Garda Station, he failed to provide a breath sample and was described as being “uncooperative” with gardai.
Inspector Cummins said Waldron has a total of 25 previous convictions and it was noted that this was his fourth drink-drive matter.
Defence solicitor Mr Gerry McGovern said his client has now “changed his life” and is a father of three children.
“He did have difficulties and suffered from depression and mental health difficulties,” Mr McGovern said.
“He overdid it in relation to alcohol. He had a slip and has found himself back where he shouldn’t be.”
Judge Ciaran Liddy sentenced Waldron to six months in prison with the entirety of the term suspended for a period of two years on condition that he does not drive a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place.
Judge Liddy disqualified Waldron from driving for six years.
Waldron was also fined a total of €400.