Burnfoot woman fined €400 after gardai spotted her using her mobile while driving

A Burnfoot woman who failed to appear in court to contest a charge of using a mobile phone while driving has been convicted and fined €400.

Louise Arbuckle, of Drumadooey, Burnfoot, was due to appear before Buncrana District Court in relation to an alleged mobile phone driving offence.

However, the 47-year-old defendant did not attend the hearing. Judge Emile Daly directed that the case proceed in her absence after being satisfied that she had been properly notified.

Sergeant Conor Mulkerns called Garda Seamus Campbell to give evidence in the case, which had been listed for hearing.

The court heard that the offence occurred on August 9, 2025, at approximately 2pm in the afternoon in the townland of Carrontlieve, Fahan.

Garda Campbell said he observed a driver holding a mobile phone while operating a vehicle.

The car, a UK-registered red Citroën DS 3, was signalled to stop.

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Garda Campbell spoke to the driver, who was identified as Ms Arbuckle. He informed her of the reason for the stop and explained that she would receive a fixed charge penalty notice along with penalty points.

A fixed charge notice was subsequently issued, but it was not paid. The court heard that Ms Arbuckle had an opportunity to settle the matter by paying a fine of up to €240, but failed to do so, resulting in the case being brought before the court.

It was also noted that Ms Arbuckle has no previous convictions.

In her ruling, Judge Daly convicted the Burnfoot woman in her absence and imposed a fine of €400. She was given four months to pay the penalty.