A DRIVER distracted by a backseat passenger was fined €125 for careless driving at Ardgroom.

Flor Murphy, solicitor, appeared at Bantry District Court in defence of Frances Lowes of Eskivaude, Allihies.

He said his client has been a carer for a family member for the last 20 years and on this occasion, on August 24th, she turned to deal with a situation, and this momentary lapse resulted in a two-car collision at 11.55am.

Sgt Trish O'Sullivan said the accused had veered onto the wrong side of the road and the oncoming vehicle was unable to take evasive action.

Judge Joanne Carroll was told that the accused had borrowed her mother's car to take her family member for a spin to relax them, but she didn't have a valid driver's licence, and she was not insured.

The accused has five previous convictions relating to road traffic matters. On this occasion, Mr Murphy said the relative had 'come at her from the back seat and she went onto the wrong side of the road.'

He said his client is living at the tip of the Beara Peninsula, about four miles from the village of Allihies, and will be depending on 'spins' to get around.

'She wanted to calm her passenger on the drive, but she knows now it was a bad decision,' said the solicitor.

Judge Carroll fined the accused €100 for not having a driver's licence; €125 for careless driving; and she struck out the charge of driving without insurance.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.