Man (57) “doing security" convicted of being drunk in charge of vehicle

A 57 year-old man who was lying back slightly in the driver’s seat of a car in a Navan estate told a Garda that he was “doing security” for a house in the estate. He didn't know which house when asked.

The engine was running and Garda James Clarke said as he approached he detected a strong smell of alcohol from the vehicle. His observations led the Garda to believe that Vladimirs Bergals of Westfield, Kells was under the influence of an intoxicant. This resulted in Mr Bergals facing a charge of being drunk in charge of the vehicle while exceeding the blood alcohol limit at the Claremont Estate, Navan on 28th January last year.

When arrested he provided a blood specimen that returned a reading of 235mg of alcohol, Trim District Court heard on Thursday.

He was convicted of the charge and fined €300 along with being banned from driving for three years.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.