'Swerving from side to side' - Mum of two caught drink driving by Longford gardaí

A mother of two, who was detected drink driving after she was seen swerving’ on the road, has been convicted of drink driving and driving without insurance.

Inga Jacob (55) of Greenview Road, Lisnamult, Roscommon pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to drink driving at Athlone Road, Longford on November 18, 2025.

Sergeant Enda Daly, for the State said Gardaí received a 999 call at 11.20pm on the date in question that a vehicle, a Volkswagen Arteon, was travelling from Lanesboro to Longford.

Garda David Buckley was patrolling the area when he observed the vehicle on the N6 Athlone to Longford Road “swerving from side to side, crossing the white line and back to the road verge”.

The court heard Garda Buckley activated the blue lights and siren and after a short period of time the vehicle came to a stop.

Sgt Daly said the investigating officer spoke to the defendant and he got a strong smell alcohol from her and her eyes were bloodshot.”

Ms Jacob was then arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and taken to Longford Garda Station where she provided two breath specimens into the Evidenser machine.

The defendant recorded a breath alcohol concentration of 39micrograms per 100 milliliters. The legal limit is 22 micrograms.

Sgt Daly said a demand was made for her certificate of insurance and driving licence, which she failed to present at a garda station.

The defendant had one previous conviction from September 2023, for driving or attempting to drive a vehicle while over the alcohol limit.

Solicitor Patrick Feeney, said his client, a mother of two, fully cooperated with Gardaí and she had some difficulties in her personal life.

He stated that she agreed to pick up a friend and had a glass of wine a few hours before this and she did not think she was over the limit and she was very apologetic.

Judge Bernadette Owens imposed a two year disqualification along with fines totalling €700 and 11-months to pay.

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