Disqualified Dundalk driver caught due to wearing sunglasses at night
Disqualified Dundalk driver was warned at Dundalk District Court that she will serve a five month sentence if she fails to complete a community service order
A disqualified driver who drew the attention of gardaí as they saw her drive past wearing sunglasses late at night, was warned at Dundalk District Court last week that she will serve a five month sentence if she fails to complete a community service order.
Sharon McDonagh (26) of Harbour View, Coulter Place, Dundalk was before the court after her case was re-entered by the Probation Service.
She had previously been sentenced to 120 hours in lieu of a five months jail term for driving without insurance or a driving licence on November 1st 2024.
The court had previously heard 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 had climbed into the back seat of the car.
That hearing was told the defendant, 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 a number of months previously 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 in finalising the matter in January had 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.
However, last Wednesday the court heard that the defendant had only completed 86 of the 120 hours.
When she was told she was now facing a five months sentence, Ms McDonagh replied "I'll finish them".
Judge Andrews warned her if the hours were not completed by September 2nd she should "have all your arrangements in place and I'll be putting you in custody".