Leitrim motorist with ‘clean record’ did not have insurance or licence

A woman who was found driving without insurance, tax and a valid NCT was fined at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on February 17 after appearing on a number of road traffic charges. Caroline Bentley (51), of Churchview, Aughnasheelin, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, appeared before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham in connection with an incident on Monday, August 25, 2025, at around 8.20pm in the Carrick-on-Shannon area.

The court heard that gardaí stopped Ms Bentley after carrying out a number plate recognition (NPR) check on her vehicle, which indicated that there were issues with its registration. It was established the vehicle was not insured and that it had not been taxed since January 2021. The court also heard that the NCT had expired in May 2024 and that Ms Bentley’s insurance had expired in October 2020.

Ms Bentley was also charged with failing to produce her driving licence. When asked by gardaí if she was insured, she replied: “I’m not insured.” She was requested to produce her driving licence, insurance and NCT certificate at a garda station of her choice. However, the court was told that no documents were produced. Ms Bentley, who has no previous convictions, was represented by solicitor Peter Collins, who told the court that she has since put her documentation in order and now held a valid driving licence and insurance.

He asked the court to take her previously clean record and personal circumstances into account and said she had cooperated fully with gardaí. In sentencing, Judge Cunningham took Ms Bentley’s clean record into account. On the charge of driving without insurance (Section 56), she was convicted and fined €250, with six months allowed to pay. The judge decided not to disqualify her from driving. On a further charge relating to failure to produce documents (Section 38), she was convicted and fined €150, with six months to pay. She was also convicted of an NCT offence and fined €100, again with six months allowed for payment. All other matters before the court were struck out.

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