Banned for five years

A 31 year old mother of two has been given a four months suspended jail term and banned from driving for five at Tubbercurry District Court after she was convicted of driving without insurance on three occasions.

Cliona Ward of 10 The Parklands, Tubbercurry admitted not having insurance at Carrowgubbadagh on May 15th last, at Ballinacarrow on April 19th and at Humbert Street, Tubbercurry on April 18th.

Judge Kevin Kilrane fined the defendant € 200 for not having insurance on May 15th and imposed a four month jail term on the other two offences, suspended for two years. She was also banned for five years.

For not having tax displayed on May 15th, she was fined € 50 and another € 50 for not wearing a seat belt and a further € 50 for using a car without an NCT. For holding a phone while driving on April 19th, the defendant was fined € 50. For not having tax displayed on the 18th, she was fined € 50.

Mr Tom MacSharry, solicitor ( defending) pleaded that the defendant, who had a number of previous convictions, did have insurance for a long period but due to the recent hikes in premiums she found she couldn’t afford it and her policy lapsed.

Mr MacSharry added that the defendant was a mother of two who lost her husband in tragic circumstances.

At the same court, Sardar Khan, Abbey Street, Ballina was fined € 300 and banned from driving for one year for not having insurance at Charlestown on March 16th last. The court was told he was convicted of not having insurance in Ballina on June 3rd last for an offence on December 8th 2015.

Mr Eamon Gallagher, solicitor ( defending) pleaded the defendant ( 38) was married with two children and asked that a ban not be imposed. The defendant had two shops in Ballina and was opening another soon in Castlerea and the loss of his licence would be severe.

However, Judge Kilrane said it was the defendant’s second conviction. He had been driving three months after his first detection.