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10th Feb 2022

Mum who drove home drunk with her two kids in car may have charges dropped

Kat O'Connor

She was driving on the wrong side of the road.

A mum-of-two who was caught drunk driving with her two children in the car may have her charges dropped.

According to reports, Gardaí caught the woman driving home from a party. She was driving on the wrong side of the road.

The healthcare student was planning on staying overnight after a friend’s house party but then decided to drive home.

She explained that she tried to get a taxi, but couldn’t because she had no money.

One of her children became unsettled and she felt like it would be best to return home.

She also said everyone else in the house was asleep.

The mum is facing child neglect charges, but they may be dropped. If she engaged with Probation Services, she may avoid the child neglect charges she is currently facing.

Tusla launched an investigation into the incident after Gardaí found her 4 and 6-year-old in the car. They were visibly shaken and upset.

The woman has pleaded guilty to two charges of child neglect and for refusing to take a breathalyzer. She also faces two public order offenses.

Gardaí pulled her over at 4 am on September 1st, 2019.

It is believed the car was swerving across the road and driving down the wrong side.

When Gardaí asked the mum if she had been drinking she became abusive.

Garda Lee Kelly told the court that the woman was slurring her words and smelled of alcohol.

He revealed the children were crying and screaming. The mum yelled at them and said “this is your f***ing fault”.

They were 4 and 6-years-old at the time of the incident.

The woman was taken into Garda custody, but continued to abuse them and refused to take a breathalyzer.

The single mum was described as an “extremely caring and sweet person” during the hearing. She was training to be a palliative carer at the time of the incident.

Her children remain in her care after a Tusla investigation ruled out any other issues.

It is believed the child neglect charges could prevent her from working in the future.

Judge Greally accepted that this was an isolated incident. Judge Greally also said this incident does not reflect who the mum truly is.

The woman has received a headline sentence of nine months in prison. She will likely be fined in relation to the child neglect charges.

Judge Greally has also disqualified the mum from driving for four years.

The trial has been adjourned until May 5th.