Courts / Louth / Report
Woman who crashed into nursing home wall while drink driving avoids jail
Summary
Emer Tighe, 46, of Windsor Court, Blackrock, was given a suspended sentence after crashing her BMW into a nursing home wall on New Year's Day. Witnesses saw her speeding and running a red light on Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, before the vehicle struck the rear wall of the nursing home's conservatory and dining room, causing over €70,000 of damage. Tighe pleaded guilty to criminal damage, drink driving and dangerous driving. Her blood alcohol level was 172 mg per 100 ml, the highest category for drink driving offences. She had been prescribed medication for a chest infection and had no memory of the incident. Judge Elva Duffy imposed a headline sentence of three years for criminal damage, suspended the two‑year custodial term in full, fined €7,000, and disqualified her from driving for five years. The nursing home's insurance covered the damage, and Tighe has not driven since the incident.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman who crashed into nursing home wall while drink driving avoids jail. Charges or matters: criminal damage, drink driving and dangerous driving at Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire on January 1, 2023. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 1, 2023 Incident
- New Years Day Other
- 2024-12-06 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: criminal damage, drink driving and dangerous driving at Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire on January 1, 2023 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Elva Duffy said the court had viewed CCTV of Tighe's driving prior to the collision and that she had been driving at such speed that she appeared on the footage for only moments as she flew through a number of locations. She imposed a sentence of two years, which she suspended in full.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Rochestown Avenue
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Stradbrook Road
- Blackrock
- St Vincent's Hospital
Topics
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