Laois woman gets suspended sentence and new ban for third no insurance

A Portlaoise woman has received a suspended sentence and has been put off the road for two years for driving without insurance for a third time.

Orlette Carne, aged 46, of 136 St Brigid’s Place, Portlaoise appeared in the town's District Court on July 11.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the driver was stopped at 3pm on November 27 last year on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise. The woman’s car had no valid tax, she was an unaccompanied learner without L plates and there was no insurance.

Sgt Kirby said the accused had previous convictions for no insurance, drink driving and public order. This was her third conviction for driving without insurance.

Defence solicitor Philip Meagher said his client has two children and also cares for her sick mother. He said she also suffers from mental health issues.

He explained the day she was stopped, Ms Carne was picking her mother up from hospital and was stopped when collecting shopping for her mother.

He said her mother supported her to take out insurance at a later date.

The accused was convicted and given a three-month sentence suspended for two years. She was banned from driving for two years and fined €750.