Woman failed breath test after crash

Deborah Mary Husarz, whose address was given as New Line, Banbridge, was also fined £300 for driving with excess alcohol in breath and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.

If she completes a probation course for drink driving her ban would be reduced to 12 months.

The court heard police attended a two vehicle road traffic accident at Ballynaskeagh Road about 10pm on March 11 this year.

A preliminary breath test was carried out on both drivers and the defendant failed her test.

She was arrested and in custody she provided an evidential sample which gave a reading of 117.

Husarz told police: “I only had one glass of wine.”

Her solicitor said she had a drink the night before and at lunch time had taken a glass and a half of wine.

She explained that Husarz was bringing her daughter to a dance class.

There was no one injured in the accident, the solicitor continued, and this was an aberration on the part of the defendant. She said Husarz had been offered counselling and it was most unlikely she would not trouble the court again.

District Judge, Mr Paul Copeland, said it was fortunate for the defendant that no one, including her child, had been injured.

What happened was attributable, he said, to her lack of control due to the alcohol she had consumed.

He added that her doctor’s report showed she was determined to seek help and put all this behind her.

However, added the judge, he could not overlook the accident and the reading was high.

As well as the fine and ban he directed that the defendant would have to be re-tested.