A Ballina man who refused to give a blood sample after he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and became abusive to the gardaí pleaded guilty to failing to give a blood sample and public order charges in Ballina District Court this week.
Willie Mitchell, 24 Roches Terrace, Ballina was stopped by Garda Melanie McGown at 1.50am on Lord Edward Street, Ballina, on July 30 this year. Inspector Joe Doherty told the court that Mitchell had to be forcibly removed from his car after he was stopped for speeding through the town and driving through a red light. He became abusive towards the gardaí after his arrest and continued to use foul language in the station towards them.
Solicitor for Mitchell, Michael Bohan, told the court that his client had been drinking for two days after some difficulties at home. Mitchell apologised to the gardaí in court for his behaviour, which he admitted was totally unacceptable. Judge Mary Devins convicted and fined Mitchell €800 and disqualified him for four years for failing to give a blood sample and also convicted and fined him €200 for public order offences.
