A mother of four was warned she would face prison on the next occasion after she was convicted for driving without insurance for the second time in a year, and banned from driving for four years at a special sitting of the District Court this week (February 1 ).
Appearing before Judge William Earley was Mary Joyce (34 ), of Farnagh, Moate who had been stopped by Garda Martin Murray near her home on August 7. As no windscreen documents were visible, the garda demanded their presentation at a station of the defendant’s own choice within 10 days, but this was not forthcoming.
It was then revealed that Joyce had been disqualified for two years for a similar offence last May 19, as well as nine other previous convictions for road traffic matters.
In her defence, solicitor Ms Niamh McLynn told the court that on the day in question, one of Joyce’s children was visiting his grandfather when he allegedly suffered a seizure.
“Her father called her to bring him to the doctor and foolishly, she chose to drive,” said Ms McLynn.
“She felt these circumstances were sufficient to warrant her take the vehicle out. When she got there, the Guards were at the house.”
No documentary evidence was handed into the court supporting this.
“Was this explanation given to you?” the judge asked Garda Murray.
“On the day in question, that excuse wasn’t given,” said Garda Murray.
“I observed her driving away from the house, she did a U-turn and drove back towards her father’s house.”
“I’ll accept what Mrs Joyce says with some scepticism,” said Judge Earley, before warning her of the custodial likelihood if re-offending.
He fined her a total of €900 and banned her from driving for four years.
