Man put off the road after drink-driving into fence at Letterkenny business

A man who drove into a fence at a business premises in Letterkenny while drunk has been banned from driving for two years.

Thales Da Silva, of Lachagh, Portnoo, was before Letterkenny District Court after being charged over the incident on September 29, 2023.

Sergeant Gerard Dalton told the court that Gardai attended the scene of a single vehicle road traffic collision at around 11.35pm. A grey Ford Focus had collided with a fence at Charles Kelly Limited at Sallaghagrane, Letterkenny.

Gardai spoke to the defendant, who was identified by a witness as being the driver of the vehicle.

After being arrested, Da Silva provided two samples of breath at Letterkenny Garda Station, which showed a concentration of 61mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.

Da Silva was requested to produce his driving license and insurance, but did not do so.

Mr Frank Dorrian, solicitor for Da Silva, said his client is a 29-year-old father-of-one who has been in Ireland for “a number of years”.

Da Silva, who his solicitor said has “little or no English”, was aided by an interpreter in court. Mr Dorrian said he accepts and understands that he will not be driving for a while. 

He said his client dealt appropriately with the Probation Service and is remorseful. 

“He acknowledges that his behaviour was reckless and he is aware now that he will not be driving for the foreseeable.”

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said a community service order would not be appropriate in the case.

Judge Cunningham convicted Da Silva of drink-driving and fined him €100, allowing six months to pay. Da Silva was also disqualified from driving for a period of two years.

For driving without insurance, Da Silva was also handed a two-year ban from driving and a €100 fine. The driving disqualifications are to run concurrently.