Woman banned from the roads for drink driving after her son calls the police, Lisburn court hears
A woman has been banned from the roads after being found with more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in her system.
Catriona Walsh, 44, whose address was given as Glendowan Grove in Dunmurry, appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court charged with driving with excess alcohol in breath.
The court heard that on January 17, 2026 at 10pm, police received a report from a male stating that his mother, the defendant, had driven a vehicle whilst intoxicated.
The police called to her address and carried out a breath test, which she failed.
She was subsequently arrested and conveyed to custody, where a second test gave an evidential reading of 74 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath, the legal limit being 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath.
During police interview, the defendant said she had not been drinking alcohol prior to driving her car but started drinking when arriving home.
A defence lawyer stated: “She told her son that he had done the right thing in reporting her and it would help her to address her addiction issues.
“The experience of being arrested and held overnight was very frightening for her and she doesn’t intend to ever be here again.
"She hasn’t consumed alcohol since this issue and is on the waiting list for a rehabilitation programme.”
During sentencing, District Judge Rosie Watters commented: “When people come here it should be a real wake-up call for them.
"It looks to me that you are trying to deal with your issues.”
Ms Watters disqualified the defendant from driving for 12 months. She also imposed a fine of £250 and an offender’s levy of £15.