Woman who believed she blacked out prior to Longford crash avoids disqualification

A care worker who drifted off the road in a road traffic accident in which no one was injured was fined €550 at Longford District Court.

Ester Miguel (32) of 48 Shannon Park, Edgeworthstown, Longford was initially charged with dangerous driving at Kilsallagh Edgeworthstown, but this was reduced to careless driving.
Sergeant Mark Mahon told the court that at 2:30pm on Sunday February 4, 2024 the defendant was driving on the Dublin Road to Edgeworthstown.

A vehicle driving behind Ms Miguel had a dash cam on and it observed the vehicle driven by the defendant drift off the road and into the ditch. The footage showed there was no breaking or indication of any kind that there was a car failure.
Solicitor Fiona Baxter explained that on the day of the incident her client had been to church with her niece and nephew.
The two young children were in the car at the time. Ms Miguel had been feeling unwell, but had not believed she was so sick she was unable to drive.

Ms Baxter said the defendant believes she blacked out prior to the crash.
The court heard that no one was injured in the incident. Judge Owens consented to have the charge reduced from dangerous driving to careless driving.

The defendant entered a guilty plea to the reduced charge. Ms Baxter told the court her client is a support worker and needs a licence for work.
Noting the defendant had no previous convictions Judge Owens registered a conviction and imposed a fine of €550 with six months to pay.