Crashed on way home from her birthday party

A mother of one who crashed her car on the way home from her birthday party was subsequently arrested for drunk driving.

Before Sligo District Court was Aoife McDermott (26) of 11 Silverdale, Ballinacarrow who admitteda charge of drunk driving at Ballydoogan, Strandhill Road on October 15 th last.

Inspector Donal Sweeney said Gardaí received a 999 call to attend a road traffic collision involving two cars.

Gardaí were on the scene in ten minutes and came across a female cursing in the window at the occupants of the other vehicle involved.

The woman, who admitted being the driver of the other car, was highly intoxicated and was unsteady on her feet. Her speech was also slurred and she was arrested.

A sample taken at Sligo Garda Station showed a reading of 90mgs per 100mls of breath.

Inspector Sweeney said the defendant had crossed into Kevinsfort and collided side on with an oncoming car at around 1.52am.

The defendant had mistaken the junction she meant to turn right at. She thought she was turning right into Larkhill Road.

The defendant had two previous convictions under the Public Order Act, he added.

Mr Eddie Henry, solicitor (defending) pleaded that the defendant was fully insured and there were no serious injuries reported.

The defendant had been out in Strandhill celebrating her birthday and was returning home.

“She foolishly took to driving in the early hours,” he said.

Mr Henry added that the defendant was a single mother of a four year old boy who lived in Ballinacarrow.

The disqualification, he said, will be a major problem for her and the defendant wished to have it postponed for as long as possible.

McDermott told the court that her child was attending preschool in Collooney and wanted the ban to begin in July.

Judge Conal Gibbons (pictured) said it was a pretty high reading. He fined the defendant €300 and banned her from driving for three years.

He acceded to the request to postpone the commencement of the ban to July 1st.