Judge concerned at drinking

Conal Vincent McKee, Forest Glade, Lurgan, was also banned from driving for three years.

He had admitted excess alcohol in breath at Forest Glade, taking a vehicle without the consent of the owner, driving while disqualified and without insurance and stealing a set of car keys.

The case was adjourned from a previous court so that a pre-sentence report could be obtained.

McKee was put on probation for 12 months, with the condition he undertakes the Thinking Skills programme, and was given 80 hours community service.

The court heard that on August 29 at 3.45pm police received a report that the defendant had taken his mother’s car without her permission.

He was intoxicated and as he walked towards police he said: “It’s me you’re after.”

McKee became aggressive when he was put into the police car and a breath test gave a reading of 93.

The keys of the car could not be found and he said he had thrown them over the railway line.

McKee had been disqualified from driving on January 8 at Lisburn court.

Mr Conor Downey, representing the defendant, said his client came from an impeccable background and his family was well respected in the Lurgan area.

He added that McKee did have his difficulties but had re-commenced employment.

Mr Downey said there was a strong support network for the defendant in his family.

District Judge, Mrs Bernie Kelly, told the defendant it was ‘horrendous’ he was that drunk in the middle of the afternoon.

McKee replied that he agreed totally. Judge Kelly said that all the offences were sufficiently serious to merit a community based disposal.