Uninsured driver had 'panicked badly' when she left crash scene
The judge threw out McDonagh’s claim which meant the six other claims collapsed with it and were dismissed
A mother-of-two who drove her car uninsured and crashed into another before leaving the scene claimed she "panicked badly".
Elizabeth Scott (48) was taking a French student to an evening activity because his leg was in a cast.
As she was unable to get a taxi, she decided to drive un- insured and was involved in the collision with another car. She then left the scene.
The injured party managed to get the car registration number and reported the incident.
When gardai arrived at her house, Scott admitted she was driving and had no insurance at the time, Balbriggan District Court heard.
The defendant, of Brookford, Brook Lane, Rush, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to four counts of hit-and-run and to driving without insurance at South Shore Road, Rush, last July 20.
Lapse
Defence barrister Annette Kealy said Scott was financially under pressure and had let her insurance lapse.
"She hadn't used the car before this," added Ms Kealy.
However, when questioned by Judge Dermot Dempsey, Scott admitted she had "driven the car around the estate a few times to keep the engine going".
When asked by Judge Dempsey if there was any reason she should not be disqualified, Ms Kealy said: "It was a ridiculous mistake she made.
"She is presenting as a genuine, responsible person who got herself into a bad hole."
Judge Dempsey convicted Scott and fined her €300 for driving without insurance but did not disqualify her.
He also convicted and fined her €200 for failing to remain at the scene of the collision and took the other three hit-and-run offences into consideration.