A WOMAN banned from the road for drink driving has appeared before Letterkenny District Court after being detected driving while disqualified.
The court heard gardaí were on patrol at Ballykeeran on January 10, 2024 when they stopped a BMW being driven by Michelle Gildea (50), of 17 Lennon View, Kilmacrennan.
A demand was made for Gildea’s driving licence and insurance, the court was told. However, the documents were not produced. Gildea is also charged with driving with no driving licence on the date in question, failing to produce a driving licence and giving a false/misleading name and address.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham asked if Gildea had any previous convictions, and was advised by Sergeant Maurice Doyle that she was banned from driving for two years on May 23, 2022 for drink driving.
“She was driving while disqualified?,” queried Judge Cunningham.
Defendant’s solicitor, Frank Dorrian said his client was “coming to the end of her disqualification” when the incident occurred.
“She missed her connection to come to Letterkenny. She took a chance and finds herself in this situation. It is her plan to emigrate in the future.”
Judge Cunningham said that driving while disqualified was “most serious”.
She ordered Gildea to undertake the Pro-Social Drivers course and to make the standard contribution towards it.
Judge Cunningham also directed a Probation and Welfare Report.
She adjourned the matter until July 13.
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