Woman in Offaly was driving without insurance because ex-partner cancelled policy

A woman was driving without insurance because her ex-partner had cancelled the policy, Tullamore District Court heard.

Fines totalling €950 were imposed on Valerie Imelda Daly (37), Beechmount, Clara for driving without insurance and being an unaccompanied learner driver on the N52 at Gormagh, Tullamore on March 9 last.

Garda Shane O'Brien told the court that at 11.40pm on that date he stopped a vehicle and spoke to the driver.

The insurance disc was in date but there was no insurance on the vehicle, a BMW, and no insurance was produced afterwards. A fixed charge penalty notice was not paid.

Garda O'Brien said Ms Daly had one previous conviction for driving without insurance.

Ms Daly's solicitor, Brian Duffy, said his client had broken up with her partner and he had cancelled the insurance policy.

While it was her car, he drove it most of the time and dealt with matters relating to it.

A mother of an 18-year-old daughter who was in college, Ms Daly worked as a healthcare assistant.

Judge Andrew Cody imposed a fine of €700 for the insurance offence and €250 for being an unaccompanied learner driver.