Woman avoids ban for speeding on motorway

A woman avoided a driving disqualification after she donated €3,500 to the court poor box. 

Natalie Hennessey, 19, of Ballinstona North, Dromin, Kilmallock, Limerick had been accused of dangerous driving on the M7 Motorway at Ballydavis for driving at 177kmh in a 120kmh zone  on August 20, 2022. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told the court the defendant had no previous convictions.

Solicitor Philip Meagher said the dangerous driving summons was solely based on the speed.

Judge Andrew Cody had said he would accept a lesser careless driving offence which doesn’t attract an automatic ban. 

Once the money was donated, he convicted the defendant of careless driving and fined her €300.