Drunk driver banned for two years after traffic lights toppled over
A special needs assistant who crashed when she was nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit, causing traffic lights in a south Dublin suburb to topple over, has been disqualified from driving for two years.
Ines Perez (43), of Willowpark Avenue, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court to drink-driving on October 7, 2023.
The court heard that Perez was driving a Volkswagen Polo along Scholarstown Road in Knocklyon shortly after 2am when she crashed into a light pole, causing nearby traffic lights to topple and block the road.
The court heard that Garda Mark Faul, who was in the area, spoke to Perez, who had been driving the car. He noted signs of intoxication, after which Perez failed a roadside breath test and was arrested. A subsequent blood sample taken at a garda station showed a concentration of 144 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood – nearly three times the legal limit of 50mg.
Garda Faul told the court that Perez had no previous convictions and was fully cooperative with the investigation.
Her defence counsel, Ciara Ní Ghabhann BL, told the court that Perez is a mother of two children and had been going through an emotionally difficult breakup at the time. The court heard she rarely drank and was “deeply embarrassed and anxious” to be before the court.
The court heard Perez works as an SNA on a substitute basis and relies on her car to travel to different schools at short notice. Ms Ní Ghabhann asked the court to consider deferring the disqualification due to the possibility of a permanent role becoming available in September.
Judge John O’Leary convicted Perez and imposed a €250 fine with six months to pay. He also disqualified her from driving for two years, with the ban deferred to begin on October 1, to allow her time to secure a permanent position.