A woman who refused to give a breath sample after being arrested for drink driving because she mistakenly believed it was her right to have a doctor present, lost her licence for four years in the District Court this week (July 28 ).
Sharon Farrell (41 ) from 16, Cornamaddy, Athlone was stopped on the evening of June 7, and when brought to Athlone Garda Station refused to use the intoxiliser as directed.
“My client seemed to be under the misapprehension she could have a doctor present,” said her solicitor, Mr Dara Hayden.
“She realises now she could’ve been a lot better off if she’d co-operated with gardai.”
“Unfortunately judge, a loss of licence will likely lead to a loss of employment,” Mr Hayden told Judge William Hamill, as his client worked as a campaign manager in corporate advertising.
Mr Hayden then asked the judge for the maximum postponement of six months on the start of the ban so his client could make alternative arrangements to protect her employment and Judge Hamill agreed.
He fined Farrell €200 and banned her for the mandatory four years, but ordered this didn’t start until January 26.
