A 50-year-old biker from Dublin has been jailed for eight weeks for drink-driving and banned from the island for five years.

Christopher Joseph Boyne, of St Endas Road, Terenure, was also banned from driving for five years after admitting being almost three times over the drink-drive limit while riding his bike.

Prosecutor James Robinson told the court how, on Monday, August 28, Boyne had ridden his Honda CBR Fireblade to the Creg ny Baa at 8am to watch the races.

However, weather caused Monday’s Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix schedule to be postponed.

Police received a report from a witness at the Creg ny Baa saying that a man had been drinking and was leaving on his bike.

Boyne was stopped by police at Cronk ny Mona on the Mountain Road in Douglas at 11.55am.

Officers reported that he had glazed eyes, smelt of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet, and slurring his words.

He failed a roadside breathalyser test and was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and taken to police headquarters.

A further breathalyser test produced a reading of 103 - the legal limit is 35.

Boyne made no reply after caution.

The court heard that he had only one previous conviction in the Isle of Man, for theft in 1995.

Mr Robinson asked for an exclusion order to be imposed banning Boyne from the island, saying: ’This is a well-known event and visitors are very much welcome here. However, riding at that level of intoxication is incredibly serious. Especially at a time of year when road traffic accidents are more prevalent.’

Defending Boyne in court his advocate Stephen Wood said: ’It is of course a high reading.

’The court may, in such a case where the defendant was Manx seek a probation report but as Mr Boyne is a resident of Ireland that would perhaps seem unnecessary. The bottom line is the court is going to be convinced to impose a financial penalty, custody or a suspended sentence.

’Mr Boyne tells me he arrived at the Creg ny Baa at 8am. Unfortunately the racing was cancelled. For reasons known only to him perhaps, he left the pub with the intent to come back to Ramsey. He could have, and should have, arranged for alternative transport.

’He has spent time ringing around trying to make contact with those able to assist with paying any fine forthwith.

’His employer is waiting to hear what amount it would be. His friends and family aren’t in court today. His phone wasn’t on him and remains in his tent.

’He hoped police may assist in recovering his phone in order that he could pay any fine as soon as possible. He has offered his bike as collateral, that is worth £5,000.’

Mr Wood went on to say that Boyne was a regular visitor to the island for the races and that he was ’acutely embarrassed’ to be in court.

The advocate continued: ’103 is high, but in the absence of previous convictions for similar offences, his guilty plea, no reports of bad driving, I would submit that a financial penalty is the most appropriate penalty.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes asked for confirmation that Boyne had arrived at Creg ny Baa at 8am and started drinking.

Mr Wood said: ’Perhaps there was an element of topping up. I asked if he has a problem but he accepts he perhaps let himself get carried away on his holidays.’

Mrs Hughes said while passing sentence: ’This is an extremely serious offence. The level of reading was almost three times the drink-drive limit and the offence was committed at midday, during the Festival of Motorcycling when roads are extremely busy. There is a great deal of danger on the roads at this time and that is enhanced by people who ride while three times the limit.

’You should have got a taxi or found some other means of transport. I don’t know how you thought you were going to get back to your campsite.

’I am satisfied that, the level of reading and the time of year justify that the custody threshold has been passed. A message needs to go out. Not only to visitors, but to locals too, that those who drink and drive will not be tolerated.

’I can’t stress the serious nature of this offence enough.’

Boyne must also retake his test at the end of ban and attend a drink-drive rehabilitation course.