Fine for Offaly woman who leaned over for handbag and collided with oncoming van

A WOMAN who leaned over for her handbag and veered into an oncoming van was convicted of careless driving during last week's Tullamore Court.

Helena Heffernan, 17 The Square, Cloghan, pleaded guilty to the offence, which happened at 8.35am, October 15 last, on Ferbane St, Cloghan.

Giving evidence, Garda David Lewis said he was called to the scene of the traffic collision.

“I spoke to the two drivers, one was a male and the other was the defendant. It was in a 50kph zone and the defendant was driving from Cloghan to Ferbane. The drivers suffered minor injuries. The defendant had two passengers.

“During my investigation I learned that the defendant reached over for her handbag and veered over to the other side of the road, colliding with the oncoming van.”

Ms Heffernan had one previous conviction.

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The defending solicitor Aisling Maloney said her client's insurance had met the circumstances and her client was fully cooperative with the Gardaí.

“This accident was unfortunately due to a momentary lapse of concentration,” Ms Maloney remarked.

“Losing her licence would impact very heavily on her. She is the mother of a 16 year old girl and she needs to drive her daughter regularly to three different hospitals for medical check-ups.”

Judge Andrew Cody convicted and fined €400. He didn't disqualify.

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