A 52-YEAR-OLD woman who crashed into a camper van and traffic lights in the area of Wellington Bridge, leaving her own car perched precariously over a fence, had suffered a blackout caused by her epilepsy, Fermanagh Magistrates Court has heard.

Geraldine McCusker, a mother-of-four of Granshagh Road, Arney, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving at Wellington Road, Enniskillen on May 10, 2016.

McCusker also admitted further charges of making a false declaration in order to obtain an insurance certificate between November 24 and December 8, 2015 and driving while failing to notify the Department of the Environment about the extent of her disability on May 10, 2016.

The court heard that, at 10.20am on May 10, police travelling across the Wellington Bridge came across the scene of a two-vehicle road traffic collision.

It was ascertained that the defendant's red Vauxhall Astra had crossed the central white line and crashed into a camper van and then a set of traffic lights, leaving it hanging “precariously” from a perimeter fence overlooking the water on the other side.

There were no injuries, a prosecutor told the court.

Ambulance and fire crews were tasked to the scene, the court heard.

The defendant was removed from her car and taken to hospital.

Police later received confirmation from her insurance company that she had not informed them of her ongoing disability when she had renewed her policy.

During interview, McCusker admitted that she had been suffering blackouts caused by epilepsy for nine years, but had always had warnings in advance.

However, she claimed that, on this occasion, there had been no warning.

The defendant told the officers that she had “no recollection” of the accident.

She said she remembered passing a garage and then seeing the firemen.

Defending counsel, Ciaran Roddy, described photographs of the crash scene as “harrowing”.

The barrister told the court that his client had lost consciousness as a result of an epileptic seizure.

“She shouldn't have been driving in the first place,” he conceded.

Mr. Roddy said that, not only had the defendant put her own safety at risk, but also that of others, and it was only by good fortune that the consequences were not more serious.

The barrister explained that, on previous occasions, McCusker had experienced feelings of “deja vu” and agitation before a blackout, which occurred every two to six weeks.

She felt she had it under control,” the barrister told the court.

Mr. Roddy said that, following the collision, her licence had been taken from her and suspended and she no longer had access to a car.

“She has no ambitions to return to the road,” the barrister said.

He added that, since the incident, her condition had “significantly worsened”.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, observed that the defendant had been taking a “significant risk” by driving while having the seizures.

“This accident proves it was very dangerous to do so. I hope you understand that,” the judge said.

Giving credit for her guilty pleas and clear record, Mr. Broderick imposed fines totalling £500, a £15 offender levy and an 18-month driving disqualification.

She must remain disqualified until retested.