Driver had taken enough drugs ‘to have killed a horse’

A Belfast woman who drove an overloaded car of children on a “cocktail of drugs enough to kill a horse” has been disqualified from driving at Newry Magistrates Court.

Ashleigh Moylan (30) of Westrock Mews pleaded guilty to driving while unfit and carrying multiple children without seatbelts on July 3, 2019.

A charge of dangerous driving was withdrawn.

The court heard that a PSNI patrol travelling on the A1 dual carriageway from Newry to Banbridge was overtaken by the accused in a silver Seat Leon car.

The car then appeared to swerve over the central divide. Officers pursued it and signalled for it to pull over.

It was observed that Moylan was the driver with three other adults in the car as well as three children.

Two of the children where in the passenger footwell with another sitting between them and the driver.

The court heard that the defendant appeared to be confused. A breath test was carried out which the accused passed.

A blood test was later carried out, with evidence of cocaine, diazepam and sleeping tablets in her system.

Maylan’s barrister said she had previously been in a car accident that was not her fault, but which led her to be on medication.

“She had been in a difficult relationship which she is now separated from and has relocated,” said the defence.

“She has been abstinent from alcohol since the offence.

“The situation arose when she had taken medication the night before and not realised that she was not capable of driving.

“The cocaine may have been in her system for some time previously. Other adults in the car had not thought of whether she was fit to drive.”

District judge Eamonn King expressed his shock at the details.

“This was a driver who had a cocktail of drugs that would have killed a horse,” said Mr King.

“She overtook a police car on the motorway with three adults and five children in the car. I can understand where the charge of dangerous driving came from,” said Mr King.

Moylan was fined £515 and disqualified from driving for 15 months.