Disqualified driver damaged wing of other woman's carAlcohol a mitigating factor for man who is 'unlikely to come before the court again'

Shouting abuse at another driver before proceeding to damage her car has led to an appearance before Fermanagh Magistrates Court for a Belleek woman.

Before the court charged with causing damage to a Toyota Corolla belonging to Dympna Mullane, in addition to being charged with driving without insurance and driving while disqualified was Rita McGullion (38) with an address at Rockfield Gardens.

In evidence the court heard that on 5th June last year the injured party was stopped in her vehicle at the Commons Road, Belleek when the defendant drove up behind her in a white Hyundai Accent car.

The defendant got out of her vehicle, walked up to the driver's side of the injured party's vehicle and began shouting abusively at the injured party. The defendant proceeded to damage the near side wing of the injured party's Toyota Corolla causing over £400 worth of damage.

Following this the injured party drove to a nearby house and was followed there by the defendant who continued shouting at the injured party.

The court was told the defendant had suffered a major breakdown at the time of the incident and when interviewed about the incident on 1st October the defendant denied hitting the injured party's car.

Defending, Sean McHugh admitted the defendant's behaviour throughout this incident was 'bizarre'. Mr McHugh said the defendant can't give an explanation for her behaviour.

Mr McHugh referred to a useful medical report before the court and said that, according to the doctor in this report, the defendant was in no way responsible for her actions at the time of this incident.

Mr McHugh said that, despite this, the defendant does accept she was responsible and pleads guilty to the charges. Mr McHugh said the defendant has recently secured some part-time work.

Sentencing, Resident Magistrate Liam McNally said he took into account the details of the report but also said the defendant had a number of convictions for driving without insurance.

For driving while disqualified the defendant was sentenced to a 100 hours community service order. For driving without insurance the defendant was disqualified from driving for 12 months and for criminal damage was handed a 12 month conditional discharge and was also ordered to pay £411.25 to repair the damage caused to the injured party's vehicle.