Sinn Féin councillor suspended for being drunk in charge of car

A Sinn Féin councillor has been suspended for two months by a standards watchdog for being drunk in charge of a car.

Cathal King, who sits on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, was convicted last year of being in charge of a vehicle with excess alcohol on his breath.

The 30-year-old referred himself to the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards.

At a hearing on Friday, it was found he had breached the code of conduct for councillors.

The offence happened in July 2024 on Edward Street in Newry.

King pleaded guilty when the case was heard at Newry Magistrates Court.

He was fined £200 and given 10 penalty points.

Standards commissioner Margaret Kelly said although this was not a “drink-driving offence”, it remained a “serious rather than a minor criminal offence”.

Imposing a two-month suspension, she said: “I am satisfied the councillor has therefore brought his position as a councillor into disrepute.”

The commissioner said King had “cooperated fully” with the adjudication process and “acknowledged the severity of his actions”.

She said King had “self-referred” to the watchdog and “has a previous record of good service” on the council.

Speaking at the hearing in Belfast, King expressed his “deepest apologies” and said the offence was a “foolish mistake”.

“I do strive every day to serve my community to the best of my ability,” he said.

“I have learned a hard lesson from this mistake.”

He added: “I am committed to restoring the trust that has been placed in me.”

King was co-opted to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in December 2022 before being elected the following year.

In a statement, a Sinn Féin spokesperson said King had self-reported to the Local Government Commissioner for Standards and “has cooperated fully with the process”.

Sinn Féin said King accepts the outcome of the Commissioner’s findings and their “internal process which was paused pending the outcome of this determination will now recommence”.

“Councillor King deeply regrets and has apologised for his actions.”