Woman involved in Longford N4 collision arrested for drink driving and having no insurance
Court told defendant had 17 previous convictions, including three for no insurance and three for drink driving
A woman with an Edgeworthstown address faced a number of driving charges at last week’s sitting of Longford District Court.
Olesja Cerkouska, Park View, Longford Road, Edgeworthstown, was found to have no driving licence, no insurance and also was arrested for drink driving, all on December 17, 2023.
The court was told that on the date in question, the defendant was involved in a two vehicle accident on the N4.
The defendant was found to have rear ended a vehicle when Gardai arrived on the scene around 8pm.
The defendant was found to be over the drink driving limit when her breath was tested.
She also admitted having no insurance at the scene.
The court was told that the defendant had 17 previous convictions, including three for no insurance and three for drink driving.
The last offence for having no car insurance occured on December 12, 2020.
On that occasion, she was disqualified for two years and fined €250.
In 2012, she was convicted of drink driving and disqualified for 10 years.
Her solicitor, Frank Gearty, told the court that it was “an extremely serious matter.”
“My client has alcohol and drug addiction. She has four children. She took a chance to drive the car in her estranged husband’s car,” he stated.
“She has an appointment in Mullingar Addiction Centre. She has every incentive to overcome her addiction. She realises that the chips are down. She will be going for residential treatment for a six week period,” Mr Gearty added.
In summing up, Judge Bernadette Owens stated that Ms Cerkouska had a “very significant history of convictions.”
“I need to make an assessment on the defendant’s risk of reoffending. I am directing a probation report. I remand the defendant on continuing bail until November 15. The defendant is not to drive any vehicle in the meantime,” Judge Owens added.