Defendant drove car illegally after her partner's leg locked
Pic: Michael O'Rourke.
A GRAIGUECULLEN woman who drove without insurance after her partner’s leg injury forced her to take the wheel has been disqualified from driving for two years.
Fiona Lawler (38) appeared before Carlow District Court, where she pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, contrary to section 56 of the Road Traffic Act.
The court heard that on 7 July 2025 Garda Ryan stopped a car on Kennedy Street in Carlow town. Ms Lawler, who lives at 33 Father Byrne Park, Graiguecullen, was driving the vehicle and was subsequently discovered to have no valid driving licence and no insurance.
A lawful demand was made to produce valid documents, but the defendant failed to produce these. Ms Lawler has no previous convictions.
Solicitor Joe Farrell, representing Ms Lawler, said his client was “extremely worried and nervous” about appearing in court for this offence.
In mitigation, Mr Farrell explained that Ms Lawler’s partner had been driving, but due to a leg injury his leg “locked up,” so she “jumped in to drive.” He added that they lived a short distance away in Graiguecullen.
Mr Farrell said Ms Lawler is hoping to qualify and drive soon. Judge Elizabeth Healy said she would “unfortunately” have to disqualify the defendant from driving for two years for the no insurance offence.
The judge convicted and fined Ms Lawler €200 with two months to pay and took section 40 of the Road Traffic Act, failing to produce a valid driving licence, into consideration.
