Woman drove at speeds of up to 175kph in driving spree in Cork until car crashed into a ditch

A WOMAN drove off in a Volkswagen Golf at speeds of up to 175kph, going through red lights at busy junctions on an afternoon driving spree around Cork that lasted over 20 minutes until the car crashed into a ditch.

At an appeal of the length of time for which the woman was banned from driving, it was claimed that she was “under the thumb” of her front seat passenger because of a drugs debt and was being ordered to drive in this manner at the time.

Regina Scanlon, aged 27, of Feohanagh, Newcastle West, Co Limerick, appealed a six-year driving disqualification at Cork Circuit Appeals Court, for the dangerous driving escapade at a time when she tested positive for cocaine and cannabis.

The total six-month suspended sentence was not under appeal as Ms Scanlon’s solicitor, Dennis Healy said: “That penalty was deserved and she accepts that.”

Only the driving ban was under appeal as she was keen to get back on the road for employment reasons.

He said she had changed significantly and cut previous negative associations since the incident which dated back to the afternoon of March 1, 2020.

Judge reduced ban

After hearing an outline of the evidence against Ms Scanlon, judge Dara Hayes said at Cork Circuit Appeals Court: “This is an appalling litany of driving on the day in question.

“At the time, she was disqualified, which is a serious aggravating factor, and she was driving under the influence of drugs.

“I am told she has taken significant steps to clean herself up and remove herself from oppressive and negative influences.

“I will give some reduction on the period of disqualification.”

The judge reduced the driving ban from six years to three years.

Frank Nyhan, state solicitor, said that the three-year disqualification commenced now because the matter had been under appeal.

Pursuit covered 20.6km

Sergeant John Kelleher said: “Garda Kevin Coholan responded to a report of a Volkswagen Golf being driven erratically. Blue lights were activated in front of the vehicle which proceeded to undertake the marked patrol car and accelerate away.

“The pursuit lasted approximately 15 minutes and covered a total of 20.6km. At Lower Kilmona it was travelling at 135kph, undertaking vehicles.

“It overtook two vehicles in the hatch markings at speeds in excess of 135kph.

“At Birch Hill it overtook a vehicle crossing a continuous white line at speeds in excess of 155kph.

“It overtook a car on a double continuous white line at Ballymartin. At Ballynaraha it reached speeds in excess of 175kph.

“Two more cars were passed on the inside at Ballygibbon on the hard shoulder. At the junction of Commons Road/ Parklands Drive/ Commons Inn it went through red traffic lights at 100kph in a 50kph zone.

“It travelled on the wrong side of the road at Commons Road and through red traffic lights at the Popham’s Hill, Blackpool shopping centre junction.

“Garda Coholan overtook the vehicle and tried to contain it on North Ring Road. However, [the] vehicle got around it and drove off.

“It was driven on the wrong side of Glen Avenue, through a red light at Ballyhooley Road and at a blind corner on Ballyhooley Road oncoming traffic was forced to take evasive action.

“It then attempted to turn right on to a local road but due to speed it collided with a ditch. The passenger fled, running towards a field,” said Sgt Kelleher.