Uninsured Laois carer ‘never intended to drive’
The woman appeared before Portlaoise District Court
A carer ‘never intended to drive’ on the day she was caught without insurance for a third time, a court was told.
Leah Catherine Byrne (22) of Derrycanton, Mountrath, admitted driving without insurance or a licence on the R445 at Cappagh South, Mountrath, on May 12, 2026.
Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick explained that “we were driving whilst disqualified” on the date in question. She said her client was pleading guilty.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the woman initially gave the wrong name and has a number of previous convictions.
“It is my instruction that we have two previous for no insurance,” Ms Fitzpatrick acknowledged.
Judge Susan Fay described the situation as “far from ideal”.
Ms Fitzpatrick said her client works as a carer and was asked to visit someone who was unwell on the date of the offence. “She had never intended to drive,” she said. The woman has worked as a carer for three years and is studying for qualifications, she added.
Judge Fay ordered a community service suitability assessment and a probation report. She told Ms Fitzpatrick that she was considering imposing 60 hours of community service in lieu of five months in prison.
Ms Fitzpatrick requested legal aid and produced wage slips which she said showed the woman earned around €300 per week.
Judge Fay granted legal aid and remanded the woman on bail to appear again before Portlaoise District Court on October 12.