Poor lighting proves to be costly for motorist

A Tyrone man has been fined following a driving violation.

Cathal Marlow, 32, of Garvallagh Road, Seskinore, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, appeared at Sligo District Court and pleaded guilty to not driving with adequately lit headlights during night time.

Judge Deirdre Gearty fined Marlow €200.

Theft charge struck out despite guilty plea

A 26-year-old woman who left Tesco without paying for a number of items has been fined.

Nicole McDonagh of Slievemore View, Ballytivnan, pleaded guilty to theft.

Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that Garda received a report of a theft that took place on June 19, 2023. CCTV footage showed McDonagh placing items through a scanner but not all were paid for as she took €24.17 worth of goods without paying for them.

She was arrested, charged and cautioned on June 21, 2023 where she made full admissions.

McDonagh also pleaded guilty to a charge of driving without a licence in relation to an incident on December 16, 2020.

Sgt Butler told the Court that Garda stopped McDonagh’s vehicle on the N4 dual carriageway after receiving a call from her husband “worried about his children” who were with her in the car. She told Garda that she was escaping a domestic incident.

Defending solicitor, John Anderson, told the Court that McDonagh is currently in sheltered accommodation with her six children. He asked for her not to be disqualified from driving and stated that in relation to the theft, she made full admissions at the earliest opportunity.

Judge Deirdre Gearty fined McDonagh €100 for the charge of theft but struck out the driving licence charge.