Derry Court: Man (35) bailed on series of driving charges

When police observed a vehicle travelling at speed on Derry's Culmore Road they noticed it was 'veering all over the road' the local Magistrate's Court heard today.

George McGowan (35) of Beraghvale in Derry appeared charged with breaching his bail by being intoxicated and a series of new driving charges.

He was charged with driving with excess alcohol, driving while disqualified, taking and driving away and having no insurance on June 15.

The court heard that police observed the vehicle and stopped it on the Strand Road. 

McGown failed a preliminary breath test and an evidential breath test revealed a reading of 79mgs more than twice the legal limit. 

There was a female passenger in the vehicle and she was the owner and she told police they had been drinking at her place. 

The woman told police she had been drinking with McGowan and had mentioned her car was playing up. 

She said she then passed out and when she came round she noticed McGowan was gone. 

The woman said the defendant was sitting in the driver's seat and when she got into the vehicle he drove off at speed and despite repeated requests he didn't stop. 

At interview McGowan denied taking the vehicle without permission saying she asked him to drive as she was too drunk. 

Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending as the defendant has 'a relevant record.' 

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that his client thought he was okay to drive but 'clearly he wasn't'. 

He said that McGowan did not have the worst record as regards driving. 

District Judge Barney McElholm said he would 'take a chance on him' and released him on bail to be tagged and observe a curfew. 

He is also not allowed to travel in the front of any vehicle. 

He will appear again on June 19.