Large fine for Offaly woman who failed to submit driving licence after disqualification

An Offaly woman who failed to submit a driving licence after being disqualified was convicted and fined in Tullamore District Court recently.

Charlene Grogan, 13 Grove Street, Crinkle, Birr, was before the court. She committed the offence on the 15th of September, 2024.

The charge said she had been issued a notice “relating to a disqualification and directing you to submit the driving licence held by you to the licensing authority that granted the licence”, and she "failed to comply with the direction within 14 days of the notice, contrary to Section 29 of the Road Traffic Act.”

Ms Grogan was also charged with having no driving licence and no insurance on the 15th of September last on Bridge Street, Birr.

Sergeant Richard Thornton told the Judge that the defendant had three previous convictions for road traffic offences.

The defending solicitor Patrick Martin said his client is 35 years of age and is a mother of three children.

He said a relative of his client had fallen ill on the date in question and “she was driving her to the hospital. She apologises for her actions. A disqualification will have a huge impact on her.”

Judge Cody said the defendant “knew she was driving without a driving licence because she had been disqualified.”

He convicted and fined €1,000 and disqualified from driving for two years.