The car of a Westport woman which was crashed after her daughter allowed a friend to drive the car resulted in the disqualification of two 21-year-olds at Ballina District Court on Tuesday.
Garda Rebecca Fearon outlined that she received a call about a road traffic accident on August 31 at 10.45pm in Behybeg. On arrival at the scene she saw a black Volkswagen Passat — with damage to the front and driver’s side of the car— crashed into a pole.
The garda later established that Ms Ciara O’Malley from Carrowholly, Westport had lent her mother’s car to Denise Moore, 60 Rathmeel Lawns, Ballina when they were both attending a house party in Ballina.
Moore drove to Fergal Ginty’s house at 146 Greenhills Estate, Ballina and on the return journey Ginty took over driving before the car spun out of control. Ginty failed to remain at the scene, as did Moore.
Gardaí later spoke to the two defendants. Moore has a provisional licence and was insured for her own vehicle, while Ginty has a full licence and insurance but it did not cover him for driving the Passat.
John Gordon, solicitor for Moore, said that the trainee hairdresser has secured a loan for €2,000 to pay back the damage to the vehicle, while Michael Bohan, solicitor for Ginty, said that the plasterer realises that he should have remained at the scene of the accident. Neither has previous convictions.
For not having insurance for the vehicle, Judge Mary Devins convicted and fined Moore €600 and disqualified her from driving for six months. Ginty was convicted and fined €750, disqualified for two years, and for failing to remain at the scene, he was convicted and fined €500 and disqualified for one year concurrent.
