Former Laois teacher pays compensation to colleague after hit and run crash
Image for illustration purposes only
A FORMER teacher who drove off after colliding with a work colleague’s car in a school car park was fined a total of €1,000 at Portlaoise District Court last week.
Jane Doherty (41), Knockanina, Mountrath had pleaded guilty to hit and run by failing to remain at the scene and to failing to stop at the LOETB College, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise on 16 April. She also pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place later the same day.
Garda Sgt Kirby said that at 11.30am that morning as Ms Doherty was exiting the college car park, she struck another unoccupied stationary car, failed to remain at the scene, drove off and left none of her details at the scene.
He said that on the same day gardaí met Ms Doherty on the street in a drunken state.
He said the defendant has no previous convictions.
Defence solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said that his client had been a teacher at the time and had been suspended. She had difficulties with an alcohol issue and has since relocated to another county.
He said his client had brought €821.74 to court to compensate the injured party for the damage she caused to her car.
He said: “She has been out of work because of this incident and is trying to get her life back together. She had an unblemished record up to this. Both the injured party and Ms Doherty had worked in the same school at the time. This has been devastating for her and she has taken steps to deal with matters and is trying to get her life back on track.” Sgt Kirby said that Ms Doherty had been insured at the time and that there was no one injured in the collision.
