Courts / Dublin / Report

Driving ban for woman who poured urine sample away

Summary

Olga Pegasoua, a 46-year-old woman from Lucan, was convicted at Tallaght District Court of refusing to provide a specimen under the Road Traffic Act. The case concerned an incident on 27 March 2021, where Garda Shauna Higgins observed Pegasoua driving a swerving silver Nissan with a dented bumper. After arresting her for suspected intoxication, Pegasoua arrived at Tallaght Garda Station. Although she initially opted to provide a urine sample, she poured it down the toilet and subsequently refused to provide a blood sample. Judge Karen Dowling rejected the defence argument that the prosecution could not rely on interpreter testimony, finding a case to answer based on the garda's observations and Pegasoua's conduct. Pegasoua, who did not appear in court, was found guilty. The judge stated she had no choice but to impose the mandatory four-year driving disqualification. Pegasoua was fined €500, with five months granted to pay, and a €200 recognisance was set. The judge agreed to defer the start of the driving ban by four weeks to allow Pegasoua to make necessary arrangements. The court noted Pegasoua is a single mother with no previous convictions, who works as a cleaner and suffers from anxiety and kidney issues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Driving ban for woman who poured urine sample away. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

• 27 March Incident
• 2025-11-06 Publication

Why: Defence counsel argued that the prosecution could not rely on what was said through the interpreter because they were not present in court to be cross-examined. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report