Woman facing litany of insurance charges gets four year driving ban

December 13, 2016

A woman, who is facing ‘a litany’ of no insurance charges, has been banned from driving for four years.

Winifred Hegarty, 33, with an address at Hillview Court Lower, Gransha Road, Buncrana, and Dundrain, Burnfoot, appeared before Buncrana District Court where she faced a number of motoring offences.

The court heard that Hegarty was charged with two counts of holding a mobile phone while driving, no tax, failing to restrain a child, no NCT, three counts of no insurance and failing to produce her documents. All offences, which Ms. Hegarty pleaded guilty to, occurred between January and June this year.

Garda Inspector David Murphy told the court that on January 10, Garda Kenny was called to attend a disturbance in Heather Park, Buncrana at 11.55pm. While there he stopped a vehicle being driven by Winifred Hegarty. He noted that there was no tax displayed so he issued her with a fixed penalty notice, however it went unpaid.

On February 9 while on mobile patrol in Buncrana, Garda McLaughlin saw her driving whilst holding a mobile phone at 1.21pm. He stopped Ms. Hegarty, who gave no valid reason for holding the mobile phone. Another fixed penalty notice was issued, however this went unpaid also.

Similarly on February 29, Garda Tully was on duty at Ballyderowen, Burnfoot when he saw Ms. Hegarty driving a blue Vauxhall car while holding a mobile phone.

Insp. Murphy said Gda. Tully made a demand for insurance and Ms. Hegarty nominated Buncrana Garda station however it was not produced. A fixed penalty notice for the mobile phone offence was also unpaid.

The court also heard that on April 9, Garda Duggan, who was off duty at the time, saw a car drive past him on the Millbrae in Buncrana at speed. Insp. Murphy said Gda. Duggan saw a young child standing in the middle of the car between the front seats.

At Lidl car park he approached the vehicle, where the young child got out through the front passenger door. He spoke with Ms. Hegarty and made a demand for her insurance. He also noted there was no NCT displayed and he issued a fixed penalty notice for not having the child restrained, however this was not paid.

Furthermore the court heard that Gda. Duggan also stopped Hegarty at McCarter’s Road Buncrana on June 17 for having no insurance.

Defence solicitor Rory O’Brien said he learned that there was a ‘litany of no insurance’ coming down the line against his client. It was heard that it could be six months before Ms. Hegarty will face these charges in court so Mr. O’Brien asked Judge Paul Kelly to adjourn sentencing until the other charges came up. He asked the judge to group them together.

He said the guilty pleas still stood and added the picture that was ‘painted was quite serious’.

Mr. O’Brien said she had no history of road traffic offences but he said by the end of the cases she would have a ‘serious amount’.

He said his client was not driving at the moment.

Judge Kelly agreed to adjourn sentencing in some of the charges but for the charges relating to April 9 he fined her €250 and banned her from driving for four years. He adjourned all the remaining matters until March 9.


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