One year old child in car hit at Benburb crossroads

Police reported how, at 10am on June 25, they came across a two car collision at the Eglish Road crossroads near Benburb.

The driver of a VW Passat, Emma Cowan, 51, from Summerisland Road in Ardress, had been driving along a minor road and had not stopped as she had attempted to cross the Eglish Road.

The injured party, coming along the larger road with his partner and their one-year-old child, had struck her car.

Both cars were written off and there were minor injuries sustained.

Cowan told police that she had become lost at the time leading up to the crash and had not seen the stop sign. Police noted the poor condition of road markings, reporting them to Roads Service.

“The sign itself was at an angle and that caused a momentary lapse with drastic consequences,” said Mr Blaine Nugent, defending.

“Her licence is important to her as she travels to see her psychiatrist and therapist.

“She was heavily medicated... and the medication slows her down. She would say that she is an extremely cautious driver.

“She must re-apply for her licence every three years.”

Deliberating over sentence, District Judge John Meehan handed down a fine of £200 and five penalty points after the defendant’s plea of guilty to careless driving.