Longford woman who drove while disqualified ordered to complete community service

The 26 year-old pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without car insurance on January 29, 2025.

A Longford resident who drove while disqualified and without car insurance has been ordered to complete 180 hours of community service, if deemed suitable by the probation services.

Alexandra Laska (26) of Annaly Park pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without car insurance on January 29, 2025.

Sergeant Mark Mahon said Gardaí were carrying out a speed check when they recorded her driving at 77kph in a 50kph zone at Knockahaw, Longford town.

The court heard officers stopped and spoke to Ms Laska and requested her driving licence which she did not have on her possession.

Gardaí then made a lawful demand for her to produce her insurance cert within 10 days, however, she failed to do so.

Officers made further checks and it transpired that Ms Laska was disqualified at the time of the detection.

Sgt Mahon stated the defendant had given a ‘slightly incorrect name at the start’ and they later confirmed her correct name, date of birth and address.

Ms Laska had four previous convictions, including two for having no insurance.

Solicitor Frank Gearty said his client, a single mother of two young children, has dealt with some ‘struggles’ in the recent past.

He stated she had borrowed a car on the date in question.

“I am pleading with the court not to send her to prison, she knows this is a very serious matter and that the court is being left with increasingly less options,” he added.

Judge Owens directed that Ms Laska be assessed by the probation services and if deemed suitable she should complete the community service in lieu of four months imprisonment.

Ms Laska is unemployed and free legal aid was approved before the case was adjourned until May 6 next.