Donegal woman struck parked car and assaulted woman who tried to take her keys

A woman who crashed into a parked car in Shipquay Street and then drove on then assaulted a woman who tried to take her car keys from her Derry Magistrate's Court heard today.

Coral Morning (23) with an address at Ballylennon, St Johnston in County Donegal admitted driving with excess alcohol and assaulting the woman on November 25.

The court heard that police were in attendance in Shipquay Street relating to another incident.

Morning drove down Shipquay Street and struck a parked car before driving on.

She stopped at traffic lights at the bottom of street and a woman observed her and thought she was intoxicated so this woman took the keys from the vehicle.

At this Morning 'lashed out' at the injured party hitting her in the face and grabbing her by the hair trying to retrieve the keys.

Morning was arrested and an evidential breath test revealed a reading of 62mgs with the legal limit being 35mgs.

Defence solicitor John Fahy said his client was 'upset' at the illness of a family member and said she did not usually drink.

The solicitor asked for credit for the early guilty plea.

Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer said that the offences were made worse by the fact that the woman 'who was trying to help the public' was assaulted.

Morning was disqualified for 12 months and fined £485 and ordered to pay £400 in compensation to the injured party.