BANTRY, CO. CORK – A 48-year-old woman, Frances Lowes, has been convicted and fined by Bantry District Court following a road traffic accident where she was driving without a license or insurance. The court heard that the accident occurred while she was distracted by her brother, who was suffering a seizure in the vehicle.
Key Details of the Case:
- The Incident: On August 24, 2024, at Ardgroom Outward, Lowes was driving on the wrong side of the road around a bend, resulting in a collision with an oncoming motorist.
- Distraction: Her defense solicitor, Flor Murphy, explained that Lowes is the full-time carer for her brother, who has intellectual disabilities. On the day of the crash, he “came from the back seat” during a fit, which caused her to lose focus.
- Legal Background: Lowes admitted to driving without a license, insurance, or a valid NCT. She also had five previous convictions related to a past hit-and-run incident.
- The Verdict: Judge Joanne Carroll reduced the charge from “dangerous driving” to “careless driving,” citing her difficult personal circumstances. Lowes was fined a total of €225 and placed on a 12-month probation bond on the condition that she engages with mental health support services.
The judge emphasized that while her life was stressful, she “should have stopped the car” immediately when the seizure began.
