A driver who drove through a roundabout and hit a cyclist she claimed she did not see has avoided a driving ban but has been convicted of careless driving and been fined by a court in Carlow.
Lena Delaney of Ballinabranna, Carlow, was initially charged with dangerous driving but her legal representatives asked the court to reduce the charge to a lesser one of careless driving.
When the court agreed, Delaney avoided being banned from driving, though she was convicted of the less serious offence.
Solicitor for the accused said though the cyclist was not in the wrong in any way, he made a point of telling the court the cyclist was not wearing a high visibility jacket, even though they are not required under law.
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He claimed visibility was poor on the day, due to rain, which he said resulted in his client driving onto the roundabout as she did not see the cyclist coming from her right.
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The cyclist was taken to St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny for am X-ray and tetanus shots. He was present in court, with Judge Geraldine Carthy saying she believed the crash would have been a traumatic experience for him.
Delaney, aged 75 years, was on her way to work at the time of the crash on the roundabout in Carlow Town. The court heard she had passed tests for intoxicants and have never been in a crash before or received any penalty points.
Her solicitor said she had told her insurance company about the crash, resulting in her policy increasing to €3,000 annually. He also told the court his client worked as a travel agent and needed her car for work, and so she could keep medical appointments.
Delaney was convicted on the less charge of careless driving and was fined €700 with 120 days to pay.
