A 76-year-old woman who crashed into a shopping trolley being pushed across a pedestrian crossing by a 77-year-old woman has admitted driving carelessly.

Geraldine Gilligan, of Tarmon Brae, Enniskillen, was fined £200 and given six penalty points.

A prosecutor told Fermanagh Court that on April 15, police were called to an injury road traffic collision at Tesco in Enniskillen. They spoke to the injured party who told them she had been pushing her shopping trolley on a pedestrian crossing when it was struck by a car. She was taken to hospital.

The prosecutor said Gilligan was located and admitted colliding with the trolley.

District Judge Nigel Broderick asked: “Why did she not see the injured party on the pedestrian crossing?” Gilligan’s defence solicitor replied: “She didn’t notice the lady until she heard the bang.” The District Judge asked if Gilligan was driving forward or backward at the time.

He was told that she was driving forward.

“All the more reason to see someone,” he said.

The defence solicitor explained that Gilligan was looking for a parking space and it was a minor collision with no damage to her car. She has been driving for over 30 years with a clear record. Her husband suffers from a number of health problems and she requires her licence to take him to medical appointments.

The District Judge said he would not interfere with Gilligan’s licence as she is the main carer for her husband and because of the way she dealt with the case and her long, clear record.