A disqualified driver drove past gardaí wearing sunglasses at night

A disqualified driver who drew the attention of gardaí as they saw her drive past wearing sunglasses late at night, has been given a further two year driving ban at Dundalk District Court.

Sharon McDonagh with an address at Castletown Road, Dundalk was before the court charged with driving without insurance or a driving licence on November 1st 2024.

The court heard last Wednesday that the defendant was wearing sunglasses when she drove past a garda patrol car at a t-junction on St. Alphonsus Road, Dundalk shortly before 1am and after pulling over, she climbed into the back seat of the car.

The 25-year-old, who was disqualified from driving for four years in March 2022, had 89 previous convictions including 11 for driving without insurance.

The Defence barrister said there was no excuse for her behaviour, but he added that she has been going through a difficult time recently having lost her father five months ago and also a cousin.

The lawyer said that his client who had completed a course in barbering wants to further her studies at college and he was hopeful that she is at a point in her life where she will get a bit of cop on.

Judge Nicola Andrews sentenced her to perform 120 hours community service in lieu of a five month prison sentence and warned her that if she fails to complete it, she would serve every day of that sentence and would not be eligible for temporary release.