Drink-drive granny of 43 had 'lethal' level of alcohol in her system

Ann Cash (55), who has 43 grandchildren, was sentenced to four months in prison and banned from driving for three years.

Judge David McHugh said it was "frightening" that Cash had got behind the wheel while more than three times the blood alcohol limit.

He had postponed the sentence to allow her to spend Christmas with her family.

Cash, a widowed mother- of-15 from Boot Road, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty at Blanchardstown District Court to drink-driving and driving without insurance or a licence.

Gda Brendan O'Brien had previously said he stopped Cash driving in an erratic manner at Castlegrange Lawns, Clondalkin, at 2am last September 13.

She was taken to the garda station where she provided a blood specimen.

It had a reading of 156mgs of alcohol per 100mls of blood.

The court heard Cash had four previous no-insurance convictions and four for drink-driving. She was also driving while disqualified, said Gda O'Brien, adding that Cash was extremely cooperative with gardai.

Socialising

Defence solicitor Valerie Buckley said the defendant's husband died four years ago.

Four of her daughters and their nine children were living with her.

"That is a lethal dose, even if one is out socialising," Judge McHugh said of the alcohol reading. "But to be behind the wheel of a car with a level like that is frightening."

He also fined Cash €300.

Cash took up bail and was released pending an appeal.