A special needs assistant faced consequences after crashing her car while nearly three times over the legal alcohol limit, resulting in traffic lights falling in a south Dublin suburb. Ines Perez, 43, pleaded guilty to drink-driving at Tallaght District Court on October 7, 2023.

Perez was driving a Volkswagen Polo along Scholarstown Road in Knocklyon when she collided with a light pole, causing traffic lights to topple and block the road. Garda Mark Faul, who was present, observed signs of intoxication, leading to a failed breath test and subsequent arrest. A blood sample revealed a concentration of 144 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, almost three times the legal limit.

Garda Faul noted that Perez had no prior convictions and cooperated fully with the investigation. Perez's defence counsel, Ciara Ní Ghabhann BL, mentioned her personal struggles during the incident, highlighting her embarrassment and anxiety in court. Perez, a mother of two, works as an SNA on a substitute basis and depends on her car for commuting to various schools at short notice.

Ms. Ní Ghabhann requested the court to delay the disqualification due to a potential permanent job offer in September. Judge John O’Leary fined Perez €250 with a six-month payment window and a two-year driving ban, set to start on October 1 to allow time for securing a stable position.