Courts / Dublin / Report

'This is your f**king fault': drunk driving mum screamed at children at garda stop

Date
2021-11-24
Stage
Charge Or Pretrial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 34‑year‑old mother of two pleaded guilty to two child‑neglect charges under the Children Act 2001 and one refusal‑to‑give‑sample charge under the Road Traffic Act 2010. The case stemmed from an incident on 1 September 2019 when Garda Lee Kelly pulled her car over at about 4 a.m. after noticing it swerved and was driven on the wrong side of the road. The mother, who had been drinking, was found to be slurring and smelled of alcohol. She became abusive toward the Garda, screamed at her four‑ and six‑year‑old children, calling them "your fucking fault," and refused a breathalyser. The Garda waited until the mother's father arrived to take the children, then took her into custody. A Tusla investigation later classified the incident as neglect but found no other child‑welfare issues, and the children remain with the mother.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'This is your f**king fault': drunk driving mum screamed at children at garda stop. Charges or matters: two charges of child neglect contrary to the Children Act, 2001 and one of refusing to give a sample, contrary to the Road Traffic Act, 2010. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

Case subjects

Unnamed woman

Defendant

Charges: two charges of child neglect contrary to the Children Act, 2001 and one of refusing to give a sample, contrary to the Road Traffic Act, 2010 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She adjourned finalisation to February 9, next (2022).

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Charge Or Pretrial

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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