Mother avoids prison after conviction for driving without insurance
Appeal: Leia Fennell's solicitor, John Devane
A MOTHER of four young children avoided a prison sentence after her solicitor pleaded with a judge not to jail her.
Leia Fennell, aged 30, of Suil Na hAbhainn, Mill Road, Corbally pleaded guilty to a number of road traffic offences, including driving without insurance and tax, at Pa Healy Road, Corbally on August 28, 2012.
After outlining the circumstances of Fennell’s apprehension, Sgt Donal Cronin told Limerick Court the defendant was disqualified from driving at the time.
He added that she has four previous convictions for driving without insurance.
Solicitor John Devane told the court that while his client, who has four children including 12-month-old twins - was aware of the previous convictions, she did not realise she was disqualified from driving at the time of the offence.
In relation to the most recent offence, Mr Devane said Fennell, who is a single mother, conceded she was driving a car which she was not insured to drive as she had brought her own car to the garage ahead of the NCT.
He said she is taking matters “very seriously” and that she has not driven since the incident.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly described as “extraordinary” Fennell’s claims that she was not aware that she had been disqualified from driving – especially as she had appealed one of the convictions to the circuit court.
He imposed fines totalling €900 and he disqualified Fennell from driving for eight years.
The judge also imposed a five month prison sentence.
However, following an appeal from Mr Devane he “very reluctantly” agreed to suspend the sentence for two years.
In doing so, he warned the defendant if she is caught driving during that time she will be sending herself to prison.
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Wednesday 22 May 2013
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