Woman fined €600 for leaving scene after reversing into car in church car park

A motorist who left the scene after damaging a car while reversing in a church car park said she did not know the collision had occurred. 

It was only after viewing CCTV footage that she realised what had happened, her solicitor told Judge Adrian Harris at Ballyshannon District Court on Friday. 

Patricia Bell, 66, of 10 Assaroe View, Ballyshannon pleaded guilty to offences relating to leaving the scene after damaging the other vehicle. The incident occurred on the evening of  March 26, 2023 at St Patrick’s Church car park, Townparks, Ballyshannon. 

Inspector Cora Earley told the court that gardaí were contacted by a witness who observed one vehicle reverse into another and then leave the scene. 

After attending the scene, gardaí visited Bell who then made a cautioned statement. 

The court heard that the damage cost €317.80 to repair.

Solicitor Frank Dorrian told the court that the collision took place on a dark evening and his client had not realised that it had happened.

“When confronted with CCTV footage she realised that it may be problematic and sought my advice,” he said.

Mr Dorrian said he watched the CCTV footage along with the defendant.

“All you can see is one car caressing the other,” he said. “She was attempting to remove herself from the car park. It was a glancing blow, not a major impact. It was the CCTV footage that persuaded her. 

Judge Adrian Harris asked: “Are you saying she didn’t know she had hit the car at all?”

Mr Dorrian confirmed that this was the case, adding: “If she had known, she would have done something about it.”

The judge then asked if compensation had been paid. 

When it emerged that it had not, he said: “I would prefer it to be done today. This incident occurred in March.”

Mr Dorrian said that Bell would pay the compensation there and then, and payment was subsequently confirmed to the court. 

On the basis that compensation was paid, Judge Harris imposed a fine of €500 for failing to stop after causing damage, and a further €100 for failing to keep the vehicle at the scene. Two further charges relating to failing to give information were taken into consideration.