Driver (29) disqualified from driving for two years after crashing into parked cars at Sligo University Hospital car park
The Sligo ChampionA 29-year-old driver was disqualified from driving for two years after crashing into parked cars at Sligo University Hospital.
Megan Norbury of Carrownagh, Ballintogher was charged with causing damage to a Volvo and a Toyota at Sligo University Hospital car park on August 11. She was also charged with causing damage to a Skoda Kodiak, failing to give appropriate information to the driver, failing to remain on the scene, and careless driving at the Ray MacSharry Road on August 11.
The defendant also had charges of failing to remain at the scene after crashing into a Volvo and Toyota Auris at Sligo University Car Park on August 11, failing to give appropriate information to the two drivers and failing to produce a test certificate struck out.
Norbury was also charged with stealing 16 buzz balls liquor and 10 Loco liquor valued at €90 and €45 respectively from Centra, Collooney on October 11, 2024. She is also charged with failing to comply with directions given to her by Garda Seamus McGowan and engaging in threatening abusive behaviour at The Square, Collooney on October 12, 2024.
The court previously heard that at 12:15pm on August 11, 2023, Gardaí received three separate reports of road traffic collisions where the driver failed to remain at the scene. Two of the vehicles were significantly damaged whilst they were parked at the main car park at Sligo University Hospital.
The third car was damaged by Norbury crashing into it whilst driving on the Ray MacSharry Road. The defendant failed to remain at the scene.
Gardaí made enquiries and found that the damage was caused by a red Toyota driven by Norbury.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham was informed that the damage caused to two of the cars amounted to a combined total of €1,380. The third person did not receive a quote.
On October 11, 2024, Gardaí received a report from Centra, Collooney of two thefts that occurred the previous day at 8:30pm and 9:20pm. Gardaí spoke to the store’s manager and reviewed the CCTV footage.
They observed Norbury with a bandage on her forehead enter the shop and take 10 Loca Liquor from a fridge and put it in her jacket. The defendant then returned later and put 16 buzz balls liquor from a fridge into her jacket.
Norbury was arrested the next day. No property was recovered.
On October 12, 2024, at 6:45pm, Garda Seamus McGowan was on mobile patrol in Collooney when he noticed a male trying to gain access to a vehicle. Garda McGowan spoke to the male when Norbury appeared. The defendant became abusive to Garda McGowan and told him to “f**k off”. Norbury was directed to leave the area but failed to do so.
After getting assistance by another Garda, Norbury continued to be abusive, and had to be pepper sprayed.
On December 18, 2025, Gardaí received a report from Penneys, O’Connell Street, Sligo on a theft of clothing. Upon arrival, Norbury was present at the store with security and had the clothes in her bag. The property was recovered. When she was arrested, Norbury told Gardaí that “she handed the stuff back”.
On June 4, Ms Abigail Livingstone, solicitor (defending), told Judge Cunningham that the probation report would be extremely helpful to her. She added that Norbury was doing well.
Judge Cunningham said that the matters were too serious for Norbury to just get a probation supervision sentence. On the careless driving charge, she fined the defendant €250 and disqualified her from driving for two years. On failing to remain at the scene on the Ray MacSharry road, Norbury was fined €250 and disqualified from driving for two years, with both disqualification periods to run concurrently.
For engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and the theft charge, Judge Cunningham noted that the probation report put Norbury at a moderate risk of re-offending. She sentenced the defendant to one month in prison, suspended for a period of 12 months on condition that she adhered to the recommendations of the probation service.
Judge Cunningham took into consideration all other matters.
Article funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.