Woman didn’t know insurance had not been renewed on second family car, court hears
The woman pleaded guilty at Ballyshannon District Court to driving without insurance, and escaped a ban given the circumstances
A court heard that a 42-year-old woman who was caught driving without insurance had not realised that the policy had not been renewed by her husband.
Yaming Liu of 23 Parkhead, Killybegs, was before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, May 15. She pleaded guilty to driving without insurance on the N15 at Tullaghan, Leitrim, on November 6, 2025. The offence is contrary to Sec 56(1) and (3) of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
Solicitor Rory O’Brien told the court that his client’s husband had travelled to China. The couple had two vehicles. Hers was out of charge, and she used the other vehicle. “Because her husband was in China and there is an embargo on the internet, he didn’t receive the renewal notice,” said the solicitor. “She didn’t know that it had not been renewed.”
Mr O’Brien said the couple had been in Ireland for 20 years, had previously run a business, and never came to adverse attention.
Judge Éitean Cunningham imposed a fine of €150, allowing the defendant five months to pay.
“I am not going to disqualify her, given that she has no previous convictions, and the facts as outlined by Mr O’Brien,” said the judge.
A charge of failing to produce insurance was struck out.
Legal aid was granted.