Derry Court: Disqualification from driving for Donegal woman who 'didn't remember driving'

A solicitor told Derry Magistrate's Court that it was 'a strange case' where a woman claimed she had no memory of driving.

Mary McGlinchey (52) with an address at Kinnego, Buncrana County Donegal appeared charged with driving while unfit through drink or drugs and failing to provide a sample of breath on March 1.

Police were told that a car was 'swerving all over the road' on Derry's Northland Road.

Police attended and located a car in Lowry's Lane with McGlinchey nearby.

She was said to be 'very unsteady on her feet' but refused to give a breath or blood sample.

Witnesses told police they had tried to stop the vehicle when they observed it driving and almost hitting other cars. 

When interviewed McGlinchey said she didn't remember anything. 

She said she had a glass of Guinness but knew nothing about the driving. 

She was asked when her memory went 'fuzzy' and she said she gave someone a lift who told her 'go left, go right' but she didn't know how she ended up where she did.

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that it was a strange case and this woman had no record either North or South.

He said a disqualification will cause 'some difficulties' for the defendant.

She was fined £300 and disqualified from driving for 12 months.