A father who spun out of control in grief after his daughter ended her own life in Eden in July has been told that he cannot carry the burden of the tragedy alone.
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Appearing in Eden Local Court yesterday on charges including drink driving, Magistrate Doug Dick told the man that while it was his job to punish him for breaking the law, he also wanted him to know that "we're all working together for you".
"You can't carry this weight yourself," Magistrate Dick told him.
But Magistrate Dick also told the man that he would not find solace at the bottom of an empty bottle.
The man's legal representative told the court that his client had been "constantly on the grog" since his daughter - a member of the Eden Aboriginal community and young mother - took her own life.
The man had tried to drink himself to death, was himself suicidal and his family was deeply concerned about him, his lawyer said.
Magistrate Dick disqualified the man from driving, fined him and placed him on a new bond.
He will undergo a range of treatment including residential rehabilitation and mental health assessment.
It was also recommended that he attend grief counselling.
He would be eligible to get his driver's licence in six months but would need to have an alcohol ignition interlock device fitted to his vehicle.
In another matter before Eden court yesterday, a man who overtook an unmarked police car near Merimbula Airport had his licence suspended for six weeks.
The young man was the designated driver for a group that was having a night out on the town at the golf club but stupidly allowed himself to be “egged on” by his passengers to overtake the other vehicle, the court heard.
He was remorseful and contrite, and references showed that he was highly regarded in the community.
If anyone feels they are in need of support, help is available:
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• beyondblue 1300 224 636
• Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
