Motorist reported to PSNI for 'swerving all over road' near Magherafelt loses licence for a year

Before the court was 27-year-old Caoimhe Walshe of Duddy's Court, Derry / Londonderry, who was placed on probation for 12 months and ordered to carry out 60 hours of community service.

The defendant admitted possessing pregablin; driving while unfit through drink or drugs, and having an offensive weapon in her possession, a knife.

Prosecuting counsel said on June 19 last year, police were tasked to the incident at Moneymore Road and stopped the car.

He said the defendant appeared to be intoxicated with slurred speech but a roadside test proved negative for alcohol.

Counsel said police found a blister pack of pregablin in the footwell of the car and she was arrested.

Another two blister packs were located in her shorts and a knife was also found in the vehicle.

The lawyer said Walshe said she was taking the pregablin for anxiety and a blood test showed traces of cocaine and diazepam.

He added that the defendant thought the knife was left in the car by someone who used it for fishing.

A defence solicitor said the defendant has her problems which the pre-sentence report goes into, but was trying to get on with her life.

He stressed she had made a full admission to the offences.

Imposing the combination order, District Judge Conor Heaney made it a condition that the defendant addresses her risk taking behaviour and poor decision making.

The judge also disqualified her from driving for a year and fined her £165 for driving while unfit.