South Belfast social worker banned for refusing breath test

A social worker has been banned from driving after he refused to take a breath test following a car crash. Conor McKenny, 35, was found near his damaged Audi A3 in Belfast during the early hours of November 15 last year. Police were called to the scene around 4am. They discovered McKenny's abandoned car, which had extensive damage and was missing a front wheel. Shortly after, McKenny arrived at the scene. Officers noticed he was slurring his words and had a spare key to the vehicle. McKenny claimed he had been out drinking with friends and that one of them took his car keys. His lawyer explained that McKenny took a taxi home and spotted his crashed car on the way. He said he panicked and approached the police to report the incident. In Laganside Magistrates Court, McKenny admitted to failing to provide a breath sample. District Judge Anne Marshall banned him from driving for six months and fined him £300. She noted that he should have complied with the breath test, making it unclear how intoxicated he truly was. The judge also mentioned that losing his license would significantly affect McKenny's job, where he transports children and adults.