Denise Murray: Sydney Metro’s Airport safety head caught drink-driving
Sydney Metro’s acting head of health and safety at Western Sydney Airport has asked a court not to impose an interlock device after she was caught drink driving at almost twice the legal limit.
Inner West
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Sydney Metro’s acting head of health and safety at Western Sydney Airport asked a court not to impose an interlock device after she was caught drink driving so she could continue her work duties.
Denise Murray, 46, pleaded guilty to mid-range drink driving after she was pulled over near Central station in an Audi A1 after police noticed her driving without headlights on June 22.
Murray had one adult passenger on board when police conducted a breath test near Eddy Ave in Haymarket, which returned a positive result.
Documents tendered to Downing Centre Local Court state a subsequent breath analysis returned a result of 0.094 – almost double the legal limit.
“She stated she had consumed three 200ml glasses of red wine,” police stated in documents.
“The accused consumed her first drink at about 5pm and her last drink at about 8.45pm.”
Police stated they believed Murray was “moderately affected” by alcohol.
At court on July 25, the Newtown woman was convicted and fined $800.
Her solicitor Joshua Boorman asked Magistrate Theo Tsavdarides to consider giving Murray an exemption from the mandatory interlock device, which forces drivers to blow zero into a device attached to their steering wheel before their car will turn on.
The court heard Murray – in her capacity as Sydney Metro’s acting director of health and safety at Western Sydney Airport – was often required to drive multiple vehicles on the future airport site and it was not practical to install an interlock device on every vehicle.
The court also heard an interlock requirement would therefore effectively prevent Murray from conducting her duties for the 12 months the device was mandated.
Mr Tsavdarides granted the interlock exemption and Murray was disqualified from driving for six months, after which she will be able to drive without obstacle.
Murray was previously Sydney Metro’s senior manager of health and safety at the airport.