Woman who drove into fence caused over £1,000 damage

A LISNASKEA woman who drove into the fence of a Eurospar, causing over £1,000 worth of damage, has been sentenced.

Catherine Ann Mcgovern (66), of Trasna Way, Lisnaskea, received five penalty points and £250 in fines at Enniskillen Magistrate’s Court on Monday, April 8.

She had previously pleaded guilty to charges of driving without due care and attention, and failing to stop at and report a damage-only incident on June 8 of last year.

A prosecutor told the court how on June 8, 2023, police received a report from Swift’s Eurospar, Lisnaskea, that a women had driven into a fence on the premises. The driver, Mcgovern, had spoken to staff and had then left on foot. Police located Mcgovern, and she confirmed that she was the owner of the vehicle.

A solicitor said that Mcgovern had held her licence for 25 years, and this was the first adverse incident she was involved in.

“It was a momentary lapse of judgement,” the solicitor said. “As a result, she was in shock, and chose simply to walk home.

“She left the car at Swift’s car park. No one was involved in the incident,” the court heard.

The solicitor added that the incident was “minor, but expensive”, and outlined that the cost of repairing the fence totalled £1,086.

However, Mcgovern had already paid compensation of £2,000, and she was hopeful that the amount that was overpaid would be “reimbursed”.

District Judge Alana Mcsorley said it was clear that Mcgovern had “made amends” for what happened, and that she was prepared to offer credit for her clear driving record.

For a charge of driving without due care and attention, the judge imposed a fine of £100 and five penalty points. For charges of failing to stop and failing to report the accident, further fines of £150 were imposed.