A Carlow woman, who is pregnant with her fifth child, was put off the road for two years and given a three months suspended sentence for a number of motoring offences including driving with a fake driving licence.
Ciara Colemen, 79 Tommy Murphy Park, Graiguecullen, was charged in July with a number of motoring offences including driving without insurance, failing to produce insurance, failing to produce a licence and using a fake driving licence at Ballon on November 9 2007.
The court heard this week that when Ms Coleman was stopped, she produced a false licence which she had used to procure insurance, making the policy invalid.
Judge William Harnett heard Ms Coleman had travelled to Dublin and paid €50 to a man from Clondalkin village, where she hails from, from for a fake licence.
Saying she had taken the lazy option, she did not reveal who had sold the licence to her.
“You don't come up from Carlow and just walk in to a pub and end up with a fake licence. She's not cooperating,” said Judge Harnett at the hearing.
Ms Coleman’s appearance at this sitting related to submission of reports. Defending solicitor Brendan O’Flaherty said Ms Coleman needed help. “She needs continuing help and support. She is pregnant at the moment and very dependent on her car. She is on a methadone programme,” he said in mitigation as Judge Harnett considered her sentence.
He asked for a postponement of any disqualification from driving.
“She is not getting any postponement. She is abusing drugs. She needs to deal with her problems, especially because of the baby. We all know babies can be born addicted to drugs,” said Judge Harnett before imposing fines totaling €750 a three months suspended sentence on condition that Ms Coleman entered a bond of €400 for one year. He also disqualified her from driving for two years. Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.
