MOTHER OF SIX GIVEN SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR MOTORING OFFENCE

A FINE, a driving ban, and a suspended prison sentence were imposed at Gorey District Court last week on 42-year-old mother-of-six Patricia Rossiter Murphy of 27 Glentire Heights, The Ballagh, after she pleaded guilty to driving without insurance at Bellefield Road, Enniscorthy on February 11, 2016.

She was also charged with non-display of a tax disc and failure to produce insurance.

The court was told she had an insurance policy but it turned out she hadn’t disclosed a previous conviction for no insurance, so it was invalid.

She was banned from driving for four years in 2012.

Solicitor Ed King said that she became confused on the phone to the insurance company when answering questions about previous convictions.

‘It’s lying, not confusion,’ responded the judge.

Mr King said the ban would have a disastrous effect on her as she lives in a rural area and has ongoing health difficulties.

‘A disqualification is the least of her worries. Why shouldn’t I jail her?’ asked the judge.

Mr King replied that he didn’t think prison would be in the interests of justice.

For driving without insurance, Judge O’Neill fined her €300, disqualified her from driving for four years, and sentenced her to three months in prison, suspended for 12 months, subject to her not being found in control of a vehicle in that time. She fined her a further €150 for no tax.

Judge O’Neill warned the defendant that if she came back before the court, she would be sent to jail without hesitation. ‘The only reason you’re not going to jail is because of what Mr King said on your behalf,’ she said.