Bench warrant issued for Offaly woman who drove dangerously in 'very bad' fog

A woman was prosecuted for dangerous driving after a garda told Tullamore District Court she had been speeding when he followed her through very bad fog.

Anita Philips (29), with addresses at Beechgrove, Belmont, Birr and Aaron House, The Walk, Kinnitty, was accused of dangerous driving on the R440 road at Killyon, Birr and no insurance and failing to display L plates on the same road at Clonbrone on November 10 last year.

Ms Philips was also accused of driving without insurance, tax or NCT at Pound Street, Townparks, Birr on February 4 last.
In relation to the allegations of offences on November 10 last year, Garda Pat McGee said the driver had been travelling at 130kph in an 80kph zone when followed by him. The Nissan Qashqai failed to stop and a fixed charge notice was not paid.

The fog was very bad at the time of the alleged offences and Garda McGee said Ms Philips had passed through the village of Killyon, a 50kph zone.

The garda said the woman had previous convictions for not having an NCT certificate and insurance and had been disqualified from driving for two years.

Aisling Maloney, solicitor, said Ms Philips was not in court but told Judge Andrew Cody she was not currently driving.

Judge Cody convicted the accused and issued a bench warrant for sentencing.

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