Judge doesn’t want ‘love’
A PORTARLINGTON woman facing motoring offences made the mistake at last week’s district court of being overly familiar with Judge Catherine Staines.
Lisa Harty, 84 The Glen, Kilnacourt Wood, Port, was charged with having no licence, no insurance, no tax disc, parking on a footway, parking on a double yellow line and failing to wear a seat belt, at Foxcroft Street, Port, on October 3 last year.
During the hearing of her case, Harty unwisely addressed Judge Staines as “love”.
“Don’t call me ‘love’, I’m a district court judge,” retorted Judge Staines.
Defence, Mr Declan Breen told the court that his client had experienced trouble with her car and left it into a garage, but because of “pressing family committments” she borrowed her sister’s car on the day. Mr Breen admitted his client had not had a licence, but he said she had rung her insurance company within an hour of being stopped by the gardai to obtain insurance.
Mr Breen said his client’s actions had been “an oversight”.
“How is it an oversight?” asked Judge Staines. “ She knew she had no insurance or driving licence.”
Mr Breen replied that there had been some confusion over the matter of insurance, but he admitted there was no reason for his client to have parked on double yellow lines, nor for her to have not been wearing a seat belt.
For no insurance, Harty was fined €400, and she was fined €200 each for no licence and no tax disc. Judge Staines also disqualified her from driving for one year. All other matters were taken into consideration and recognizence was fixed in the event of an appeal.
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Thursday 23 May 2013
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