Man claims cough mixture put him four times over legal limit

A man found to be four times over the drink driving limit, claimed he had taken a herbal cough mixture just before he was interviewed by gardaí.

Nassir Amour appeared before Letterkenny District Court in Co Donegal on two charges of drink driving and dangerous driving.

The 42-year-old from St Mary’s Park in Donegal Town had been involved in a crash at Lurgybrack outside Letterkenny on November 27th, 2013.

Amour's solicitor,James Canny said his client had a very good reason why he was over the alcohol limit. He said that, as a Muslim, his client did not drink at all.

However, Mr Canny said that, on the night, Amour had consumed a herbal medication which almost completely consisted of alcohol.

“He had been on and off it and had just taken it. He found that it cleared his chest,” said Mr Canny.

Judge Paul Kelly replied: "I'm sure it does."

Judge Kelly convicted Amour of drink-driving and fined him €200, while also dismissing the dangerous driving charge.