Enniskillen Magistrates Court
AN Enniskillen woman has been given a five year driving ban after she was stopped for drinking driving twice in the “space of hours”, Enniskillen Magistrates Court has heard.
The court heard how 58-year-old Kathleen Ita Crudden, of Innis Fold, had been spotted by police officers on March 9 who were on patrol in the Church Street area of the town.
When they stopped Crudden she was asked to take a breath test as they suspected she had been drinking.
After she failed the preliminary breath test she was taken to Enniskillen custody suite where a second breath test revealed that she had an alcohol reading of 103mg, twice over the legal limit.
She was cautioned for the offence and asked to attend court at a later date.
The following day the defendant was stopped on the Sligo Road by police officers who noted that she was incoherent when speaking, her eyes were bloodshot and her face was sweaty.
She admitted to the officers that she had been drinking all night and had been arrested the previous day for a drink driving offence.
She was arrested and taken back to the custody suite where she gave a blood sample which revealed an alcohol reading of 242mg, three times the legal drink driving limit.
Defence solicitor Barry Lynam said that they were two serious matters which “virtually happened in the space of hours” and that his client recognised that.
He told the court that his client had some alcohol addiction issues and that she was attending classes for help with her problem.
Crudden, who is single, is a carer of her disabled sister.
The court also heard that she faces charges of driving without due care and attention, failing to stop after an accident, failing to remain and failing to report an accident.
The charges relate to the first occasion when she was stopped for drink driving when she had collided with a taxi.
Before her court appearance, Crudden had paid for the full damage repair.
District Judge Liam McNally told the accused that it was “unfortunate” that at her age of 58 she appeared in court on two serious cases of drink driving.
He warned Crudden that she could be sent to prison because she has previous offences.
The judge continued: “You not only endangered your own life but the lives of everyone on the road.
“If you continue to behave in this manner you will be sent to prison.
“You have tried to combat your addiction and you will have to continue your classes.”
Judge McNally handed down a five year driving ban, an 18 month probation order and fines totalling £215.
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