Driving ban for motorist caught drink-driving twice in the same town on the same night

A care assistant has received two separate driving bans, totalling nine years, after she was detected drink-driving at two separate locations in the same town within a four hour period on the same night.

At Ennis District Court, Judge Adrian Harris imposed a three-year disqualification on Margaret Foley for the first offence which happened at Aidan Park, Shannon, Co Clare just after 7pm on November 28, 2022.

Judge Harris imposed a separate six-year driving ban for a second offence which was detected less than four hours later at 10.44pm at a different location in Shannon.

The second incident occurred sometime after Ms Foley, aged 55, of Portdrine, Cratloe, Co. Clare was released from custody at Ennis garda station following her arrest after the first incident.

On each occasion, the same garda, Garda Brian Jackman of Shannon garda station arrested Ms Foley on suspicion of drink driving.

Solicitor for Ms Foley, John Casey told the court that his client is “totally embarrassed” over the night’s events and said that Ms Foley has never been in court before. 

“She hasn’t had a drink since," he said, adding: “Ms Foley would have had difficulties at the time and has taken steps that this does not re-occur."

Mr Casey said that his client was pleading guilty to the two drink driving offences, which removed the need for Garda Jackman to give evidence or be present in court for the case.

Giving an outline of the facts, Sergeant John Burke told Judge Harris that just after 7pm on November 28, 2022, Garda Jackman stopped Margaret Foley who was driving her car at Aidan Park, Shannon and arrested the woman on suspicion of drink driving.

Ms Foley was brought to Ennis garda station where, Sgt Burke stated, a test was carried and Ms Foley was found to be over the limit with 272 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

Ms Foley then got a taxi back to Shannon and was still over the legal alcohol limit for driving when she got back into her car to drive home.

At 10.44pm, Garda Jackman again stopped Ms Foley on suspicion of drink driving at Clonmoney West, Shannon.

According to Sgt Burke, this time Ms Foley was found to have been over the limit again -  with her blood sample showing 210 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood.

Sgt Burke told Judge Harris that the mandatory penalty for the first offence is three years and a mandatory six year driving ban for the second offence.

Sgt Burke said that Ms Foley had no previous convictions.

Mr Casey said his client only had money for a taxi back to Shannon on the night from Ennis.

Mr Casey handed into court a testimonial from her employer. He said: “They think very, very highly of her. She has always been working. She works as a healthcare assistant. 

He said that Ms Foley has family support in court. Along with imposing the two driving bans, Judge Harris said that he must acknowledge that Ms Foley is addressing the issues on an ongoing basis that were behind the drink-driving offences on the night in question. Judge Harris imposed fines of €200 in each case.

The driving bans are to be served concurrently.