Northern Ireland

Senior PSNI officer Patricia Foy dismissed after drink driving conviction

Former PSNI Chief Superintendent Patricia Foy leaving Lisburn Courthouse in January
Former PSNI Chief Superintendent Patricia Foy leaving Lisburn Courthouse in January Former PSNI Chief Superintendent Patricia Foy leaving Lisburn Courthouse in January

A SENIOR PSNI officer found guilty of drink driving earlier this year has been dismissed from her job.

Chief Superintendent Patricia Foy was handed a fine and banned from driving when she appeared at Lisburn Magistrates Court in January.

The PSNI confirmed on Friday that she had been dismissed from her post last week.

The 57-year-old was formerly the head of the PSNI's professional standards department, the arm of the police service that addresses unprofessional behaviour.

"An officer was dismissed on Friday March 10 2023 from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, by the chief constable, following a criminal conviction," a statement said.

The incident that led to Ms Foy's dismissal saw her charged with driving with excess alcohol, failing to stop at a damage-only accident, and driving without due care and attention.

Her colleagues were alerted to the incident on the afternoon of Christmas Eve last year after her car collided with a traffic light in Lisburn.

Police also received a report about a car crashing into a parked vehicle.

The court heard officers observed Ms Foy walking from her vehicle to her home, where she failed an alcohol breath test and was arrested.

She received a fine of £250 and was disqualified for 18 months.

She also received £50 fines and six month disqualifications for failing to stop and failing to report, and a fine of £100 and six-month disqualification for driving without due care and attention.

After serving the driving ban, Ms Foy being must retake her driving test.