Sixty-six-year-old Offaly learner driver banned for two years

Woman with no L plates displayed stopped by garda near Tullamore was unaccompanied and had no insurance

Published 29th Oct 2026, 18:00 GMT Tribune Pictures Woman with no L plates displayed stopped by garda near Tullamore was unaccompanied and had no insurance A SIXTY-six-year-old has been banned from driving for two years and fined €300 after Tullamore District Court told she was an uninsured learner driver.

Garda Jude Doyle told the court he stopped Pauline Donoghue, Coolnahiley, Tullamore at 10am on January 14 last on the R420 road at Cloncollig.

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Garda Doyle said he issued fixed charge notices for non-display of L plates and driving unaccompanied and also sought a licence and insurance.

The latter were not produced and further fixed charge penalty notices were issued but were not paid.

Moldovan Mercedes driver fined €300 for speeding near Offaly border The garda said Ms Donoghue had been convicted of driving without insurance and having no licence in 2014 and fines had been imposed.

Defending solicitor Aisling Maloney entered guilty pleas for the accused and said she had driven because she believed she was insured but now accepted she wasn't.

Judge Andrew Gubbins noted it was the woman's second conviction for driving without insurance and said a mandatory two-year disqualification from driving would be applied.

In addition to the driving ban he imposed a €300 fine and gave Ms Donoghue 12 months to pay it.

Told by Ms Maloney that her client was on a widow's pension, Judge Gubbins granted legal aid.