This article is from page 14 of the 2008-08-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
A DRIVER who was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving on the Kilrush road offered a doctor his big toe to take a blood alcohol sample from, a judge was told.
James Marrinan, a native of west Clare now living at 169 Denton Road in London, failed a random alcohol
breath test at the side of the road on August 24, Ennis District Court heard.
When he was brought to the Garda station he agreed to a specimen of blood being taken for analysis but offered the doctor his big toe for the test. Garda evidence was that when the charge was read to him Marrinan said, “I didn’t refuse’.
He pleaded guilty before Ennis District Court yesterday to refusing to provide a sample.
The court heard that the 49-year- old, who works for a London local authority, wanted to apologise to the court.
Judge Leo Malone imposed a four year driving ban and fined him ©400 which had to be paid on the spot.