Intoxicated Kildare learner driver crashed into a tree

A WOMAN who knocked herself out when she drove into a tree while drunk was banned from driving for two years and fined a further €650 as well.

The 21 year old Naas woman was charged with dangerous driving and drink-driving stemming from the incident which happened in the Devoy Quarter in Naas on 1 August.

Initially, the incident was described as “a single vehicle collision while she was on a provisional licence and unaccompanied”.

“What did she hit?” asked Judge Desmond Zaidan, his judicial interest piqued.

“A tree. The airbag went off and knocked me out,” said the defendant.

“If the tree didn’t knock you out, you’re lucky to be alive,” commented the judge.

“She hit the tree and the car was flipped on its side,” said Sergeant Dave Hanrahan.

“She was suspected of drink-driving and she gave a reading of 66 (mg of alcohol/100ml of breath),” said the sergeant. The level for provisional drivers is 20mg per 100ml of breath.

“What sort of car was it?” asked the judge.

“It was an Audi – a very small Audi. She was out with her friends in the Osprey Hotel and she wanted to go down to the Court Hotel. She wasn’t going to drive but she was badly parked,” said her solicitor Brian Larkin.

“It was the early hours,” clarified the sergeant.

“She’s mortified about this, especially when her name came up on the garda checkpoint website,” said Mr Larkin.

“You could have a carer now helping you to the toilet and dressing you, and you’re worried about embarrassment?” asked the judge.

‘I could send her to jail’

“I could send her to jail,” mused the judge.

“Ah please, judge, she’s never even been to Kilmainham on a school tour!” said Mr Larkin.

“She’s just starting out in (new job),” he added.

“I won’t send her to jail, but I have sent people to jail for this,” noted the judge.

“The car was written off?” he asked.

“Yeah,” came the reply from the defendant.

“You could’ve been written off … that tree could’ve been another human being, then bang! And you’re worried about embarrassment?” he said again.

“Both (offences) carry a two-year ban, but I’m only going to impose two years because of what Mr Larkin has said on your behalf,” said the judge.

The judge put the woman off the road for two years on the drink-driving charge, gave her another two for the dangerous driving to run concurrently, and fined her €650 for the drink-driving.