Father Damien McGrath pleads guilty in Ingham court to drink driving

A high-profile North Queensland priest has fronted court on a drink-drive charge.

Father Damien McGrath pleaded guilty in the Ingham Magistrates Court to the sole charge of driving over the general alcohol limit on Townsville Road at 9am on January 11. Picture: Cameron Bates

A high-profile North Queensland priest has fronted court on a drink-drive charge.

Father Damien McGrath pleaded guilty in the Ingham Magistrates Court to the sole charge of driving over the general alcohol limit on Townsville Road at 9am on January 11.

McGrath, a highly respected former parish priest for Ingham, is currently listed by the Catholic Diocese of Townsville as parish priest of St Brigid’s Parish, Stuart and Wulguru, and as a member of the College of Consultors.

Queensland Police Service prosecutor Kimberley Rogers-Ford, outlining the facts of the case, said McGrath provided a positive road-side breath test during a routine traffic stop at 9am on the Saturday morning.

She said the defendant told police that he had consumed alcohol, including at least four beers, visiting people for dinner the previous night but did not think he would be over the limit when driving home to Townsville the next morning.

Magistrate Cathy McLennan noted that McGrath had an “absolutely excellent” traffic history and the offence was “completely out of character”. Picture: Cameron Bates

Ms Rogers-Ford said the breath-alcohol reading was 0.074, over the general limit of 0.05.

She took no issue with McGrath’s application for a work licence.

Defence Lawyer Brendan Marr of Townsville said his case for a work license was outlined in the submitted documents, which were not read in court.

He said he was seeking a license that could be used at all times during the seven-day week due to the nature of his client’s work as a priest, including hospital visits.

Father Damien McGrath a highly respected former parish priest for Ingham, is currently listed by the Catholic Diocese of Townsville as parish priest of St Brigid's Parish, Stuart and Wulguru, and as a member of the College of Consultors. Picture: Cameron Bates

Magistrate Cathy McLennan noted that McGrath had an “absolutely excellent” traffic history and the offence was “completely out of character”.

The defendant was convicted of the traffic offence, fined $400 and disqualified from driving for two months.

The restricted work licence was granted for the period of disqualification “authorising you to drive … for purposes directly related to your means of earning a livelihood as a priest 24-seven.”

Originally published as Father Damien McGrath pleads guilty in Ingham court to drink driving