A report of an abandoned car in Magheraveely has led to a man being banned from driving for five years.

On May 15, 2021, a report was received of a Volkswagen Golf abandoned at the Coranny Road, Magheraveely, and a person asleep in the passenger side who made no response when attempts were made to wake them.

When police arrived, they observed a male – Joseph Oliver Murphy (46), with an address of Creighton Hotel, Clones – in the driver’s seat rolling a cigarette.

As they approached the car, the engine revved and the police took the keys out of the ignition, to which Murphy said: “Ah, f**k.”

He failed a preliminary breath test and was arrested.

Murphy’s father was contacted as the owner of the car, and he told police he was away for the weekend and had not given his son any permission to take the car.

In custody, Murphy gave an evidential reading of 93mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. He also made a full and frank admission to police in custody.

Murphy, who was appearing via videolink from Omagh Custody Suite, was representing himself, and when asked by District Judge Steven Keown what he had to say in response to what had been heard, he replied: “No defence. I have no defence.”

Judge Keown let Murphy know he was entitled to a pre-sentence report, but Murphy wanted the case dealt with on the day.

A police officer outlined to the court some of Murphy’s previous offending in the Republic before he was convicted.

After this was heard, Murphy was convicted of driving with excess alcohol in his breath, using a motor vehicle without insurance, taking a motor vehicle without authority, and having no driving licence.

In total, Murphy was disqualified from driving for five years, given a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and fined £100.