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28 Feb 2026
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28 Feb 2026
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Portlaoise District Court
A driving ban was handed down to a healthcare assistant who refused to provide a breath sample to Gardaí.
Jackie Murray (35) of 29 Ballymorris Manor, Portarlington, pleaded guilty to refusing to provide a sample to Gardaí at Abbeyleix Garda Station on October 19, 2025.
Garda Inspector Barry Houlihan said the defendant was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving at Canal Road, Portarlington at 2am on the date in question. The woman was taken to Abbeyleix Garda Station where she refused to provide a sample.
Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was pleading guilty to the offence. She said the woman worked as a healthcare assistant.
“She made a foolish decision to drive”, said Ms Fitzpatrick.
She asked Judge Andrew Cody to grant the woman a postponement to her disqualification so that she could get her affairs in order.
Noting the early plea, Judge Cody fined the woman €100 and disqualified her from driving for four years. He postponed the disqualification until July 1, 2026.
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