A man who went to collect friends who were stuck for a lift has been convicted of driving with excess alcohol in his breath.

Police were on patrol in Derrygonnelly at around 3am on January 17 when they observed a Audi A4 which gave them concern over the nature of its driving.

The stopped the car and spoke with Lorcan McKenna (20), of Shanvalley Road, Kinawley, who confirmed he had been driving.

He then failed a preliminary breath test after officers noticed his eyes were glazed and there was a smell of alcohol.

McKenna was taken to Omagh Police Station, where he gave an evidential reading of 53mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

McKenna’s solicitor, Garry Smyth, told the court his client had been out earlier that night but was at home when he received a call from friends who were “stuck for a lift”, and he went to collect them.

He said the loss of his driving licence for McKenna, who is an electrician, would have a significant impact on him.

Mr. Smyth asked the court to take into account his client’s plea and good record, and said the situation he finds himself in is not lost on him, and is one he takes seriously.

District Judge Steven Keown disqualified McKenna from driving for one year, and fined him £200.