Drink driver collided with two cars, Court is told

Marie Pyne, a care assistant of 13 Elmvale, Ballynagard, admitted driving with excess alcohol on her breath at Culmore Square on January 11 this year, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, failing to keep her vehicle at the scene and failing to report an accident. She had a previous relevant record.

She was fined £250 and banned from driving for four years on the excess alcohol charge, and was ordered to pay an offenders levy of £15, and fined of £100 each were imposed on the remain three charges.

Prosecuting Counsel said the charges came to light after police were notified and two witnesses provided details of the defendant’s car. Police noted that Pyne had a torch and car keys in her hands at the door. She was unsteady on her feet, speech was slurred and her eyes were glazed and made no reply when cautioned, and could not remember details of the journey she had made or about the accident. A subsequent blood alcohol reading was 296mgs.

A solicitor said Pyne’s working shifts had changed and she was suffering from a lack of sleep. She had consumed alcohol and got into a row with her son and decided to leave, drive round the corner and take time out.

The solicitor said Pyne was getting help at the Northland Centre.