A woman who told arresting Gardai that she was bringing her heavily pregnant daughter to the doctor when stopped without insurance, was still banned from driving for six months in the District Court this week (January 13 ).
“Without being disrespectful to Mrs West, I feel we might be hearing this excuse on many days in the future,” said Judge John Neilan to Mr Tony McLynn, solicitor for Mrs Helen West (38 ), of Ashdale, Clonbrusk, Athlone.
The court had been hearing how West was stopped by Gardai in Monksland on September 21 without licence, tax disc or insurance displayed, none of which were presented to the authorities within the statutory 10 days.
“She said she was taking her pregnant daughter to the doctor in an emergency,” said Mr McLynn.
“The car belongs to her husband. She just took it at the height of the emergency.”
Mr McLynn handed in a letter from West’s daughter’s doctor confirming this.
Judge Neilan wanted to know how far it was to the town centre and the doctor’s surgery, and Mr McLynn suggested it was about two miles.
Inspector Nicholas Farrell told the court that West had a previous conviction for driving without insurance, for which she was convicted last November.
The judge recalled the previous case, pointing out: “That was also an emergency.” He fined her €100 and banned her from driving for six months.
“I appreciate the difficulties you have with the people in your family and how you might need the car,” said the judge, “but I will not accept this excuse in the future as long as there are ambulances and taxis”.
