Former Portlaoise sweet shop owner banned from driving

A former sweetshop owner admitted driving without insurance in Stradbally. 

Catherine Lynn (54) of 34 Borris Meadows, Borris Road, Portlaoise admitted driving while uninsured at Church Road, Stradbally on February 6, 2025. 

Garda Sergeant Jason Hughes said the defendant was stopped at around 2pm on the date in question. He said she had a previous conviction for driving while uninsured. 

Anne Doyle BL said her client was pleading guilty. She said the woman had been driving her daughter’s car and wrongly believed she was covered by insurance on the car. She said the woman is employed part time in a pub in Stradbally. 

In relation to her previous conviction, Ms Doyle said the woman had opened a sweet shop in Portlaoise but the opening had coincided with Covid and she “lost everything” as a result. She said she couldn’t afford the insurance at the time she was caught. 

Judge Andrew Cody fined the woman €500 and disqualified her from driving for four years. He fixed recognisance in case of appeal.