Laois woman “wasn’t aware” she was banned from driving
The woman had been disqualified due to an accumulation of penalty points
A woman who “wasn’t aware” she was disqualified due to penalty points has been given another disqualification.
Margaret McInerney(38) of 11 Colliers Court, Colliers Lane, Portlaoise admitted having no licence or insurance on the N80 Stradbally Road, Portlaoise on May 19, 2024.
Garda Stephen O’Hanlon said the woman was driving an 09C register red Peugeot car when he stopped her for not wearing a seatbelt on May 19 before discovering she was disqualified.
“She was disqualified by way of penalty points,” he said.
He said she had 13 previous convictions.
Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client had been spending a lot of time at her parent’s address as her father had suffered a stroke.
In relation to the penalty point disqualification, she said, “she simply wasn’t aware.”
“She did have an otherwise valid insurance,” said Ms Fitzpatrick.
“She promises to be more careful in the future,” she added.
Judge Andrew Cody fined the woman €750 and disqualified her from driving for two years. He fixed recognisance in case of appeal and granted legal aid.