Offaly woman sentenced to prison for driving while disqualified

An Offaly woman was sentenced to three months in prison for driving without insurance and three months for driving without a driving licence when she appeared at last week's Tullamore District Court.

Celina Heihir, (38) of 23, Macregal Park, Birr, was stopped by Garda Evelin Dunphy at Scurragh, Birr, Offaly on June 23, 2023.

Ms Heihir was also driving while disqualified. She had 18 previous convictions, including hit and run, failure to remain at the scene, assault, obstructing a peace officer for which she had received a suspended prison sentence and public order offences.

Judge Andrew Cody said this was a triggering offence as she had been disqualified from driving three months prior to this latest offence.

Solicitor Donal Farrelly said Ms Heihir was a 38 year old mother and has children aged 16, 14, and twins aged seven, one of whom was autistic. She is a lone parent. He said she was in difficult circumstances.

Judge Cody imposed three months in prison for driving with no insurance and three months for driving without a driving licence.

He fixed recognisance on her own bond of €200 and a cash lodgement of €300 to allow her to appeal.