A 24-year-old man was convicted of driving under the influence of an intoxicant at Ballina District Court this week.
At a previous sitting the court heard that Garda Mark Kilbride outlined that on February 11 2010, while on mobile patrol in the St Patrick’s Estate at 11.45pm, he observed a car swerve onto a footpath, have its lights turned off, and come to a stop.
Thomas Moyles, 41 Castlefield Manor, Ballina, was the driver. There was also a passenger in the car.
Garda Kilbride smelled cannabis coming from the car. He asked Moyles if he had consumed an intoxicant. Moyles answered “no”. From this answer, Garda Kilbride said that Moyles’ speech was slurred. The garda noticed that the defendant’s eyes were dilated and that the defendant was unsteady on his feet when he exited the car.
Garda Kilbride then arrested the defendant on suspicion of driving while under the influence of an intoxicant.
After Moyles was arrested he was placed in the Garda car, the defendant’s car was searched under the misuse of drugs act, however nothing illegal was found, only tobacco and Rizzla papers.
The defendant did not have insurance for the car he was driving that night.
A urine sample was provided at the Garda station. It was sent for analysis which showed there was no alcohol in the defendant’s urine, however the specimen showed a presence of cannabis.
At this week’s sitting Judge Mary Devins said that there was sufficient evidence to convict. Moyles was convicted and fined €600 and disqualified from driving for four years. The no insurance was taken into consideration.
