Catriona Walsh, 44, of Glendowan Grove in Dunmurry, appeared before Lisburn Magistrates Court charged with driving with excess alcohol in breath.

On January 17, 2026, at 10pm, police received a report from a male stating that his mother, the defendant, had driven a vehicle while intoxicated.

Officers attended her address and conducted a breath test, which she failed. She was arrested and taken to custody, where an evidential breath test recorded 74 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres.

In her police interview, Walsh stated she had not consumed alcohol before driving but began drinking upon arriving home.

Her defence lawyer said she acknowledged her son had done the right thing by reporting her. The lawyer noted the arrest and overnight detention were frightening for her and that she has not consumed alcohol since the incident. She is on a waiting list for a rehabilitation programme.

District Judge Rosie Watters disqualified Walsh from driving for 12 months. She also imposed a fine of 250 pounds and an offender's levy of 15 pounds.