Greencastle woman banned from driving jailed for new offences

A GREENCASTLE woman has been jailed for six months after breaching two suspended sentences.

Cornelia McKenna (35), of Maryville, Seskinshule, was sentenced at Omagh Magistrates Court on Tuesday. The court heard that, just after midnight on January 16, police on patrol in Sixmilecross observed a white Vauxhall Astra travelling in the direction of Carrickmore.

Checks revealed the vehicle had no insurance.

Police followed the car through Carrickmore, during which they observed it swerving across the central lines on two occasions before making a right turn. Officers activated their lights and sirens and pulled the car over.

McKenna was identified as the driver. Further checks showed she was disqualified from driving.

She refused to take a roadside breath test and was subsequently arrested.

The court was told McKenna had 33 previous convictions and, having pleaded guilty, was now in breach of two suspended sentences and a probation order.

The Probation Board also indicated they were seeking to have the probation order revoked.

Defence counsel Brian O’Sullivan said the mother-of-two had been out that night when her childminder contacted her to say one of the children was unsettled. Unable to get a lift, McKenna decided to drive home. However, the court heard she had failed to communicate this to police or probation officers.

Mr O’Sullivan acknowledged the custody threshold had been passed but urged District Judge Ted Magill to consider the potential impact on her children if she were imprisoned. Judge Magill, however, noted McKenna’s extensive criminal record and breaches of suspended sentences, stating she had a ‘high likelihood’ of reoffending.

“Your chances have run out,” he told her.

McKenna was sentenced to six months in custody and disqualified from driving for five years.

Following consultation with her defence team, she was released on bail of £100 pending appeal.