A WORKER on the Queensferry Crossing who drove a van after a boozing session in a Dunfermline pub was more than five times over the limit.

Rory O’Donoghue, from Ireland but currently living in Dunfermline, was involved in a collision at traffic lights and then disappeared from the accident scene.

O’Donoghue, 21, whose address was given as Cairnfield Place, Aberdeen, appeared from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on Saturday, in Hospital Hill, Dunfermline, he drove having consumed excess alcohol. His reading was 118 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 22 microgrammes.

He also admitted that he failed to name the driver of the van to police investigating the incident.

Depute fiscal Alistair McDermid said O’Donoghue had been working and then drove the van to Dunfermline with a workmate to have a drink at Jokers Bar, parking the vehicle in Hospital Hill.

“He was seen drinking beer and vodkas,” he added.

At around 5pm, O’Donoghue had told his friends he was going away for a couple of hours.

There was then a collision in Hospital Hill with a vehicle being struck from the rear at traffic lights near Jokers.

“The van remained at the scene but there was no driver,” said the depute.

Police investigations quickly identified O’Donoghue as having been the van driver. He was traced and failed a breath test before being taken to the police station.

Solicitor Brian Tait said his client, from Roscommon in the Republic of Ireland, has been living in Dunfermline while working on the Queensferry Crossing as part of a team.

“He’s living locally at the moment and was driving a hired van. He can’t offer any explanation for why he drove back when he was going for a sleep.

“He can only think it was the volume of alcohol that clouded his judgement. He’s got into the van and been in this collision.”

The solicitor said the disqualification would apply in his client’s native land because of an agreement between the countries.

He added his client’s father had travelled over from Ireland to try to help resolve the situation.

Sheriff Craig McSherry said he would not allow O’Donoghue to return to Ireland without the matter being dealt with in Scotland.

He imposed a fine of £1,900 and a two-year driving ban. O’Donoghue remained in the cells until his father went for money to pay the fine and was then released.