Repeat offender caught driving while banned and uninsured
A mother-of-three caught driving while disqualified and uninsured has been banned from the roads for four years.
Repeat offender Danielle Kavanagh (36), of Killinny Meadows, Tallaght, Dublin 24, pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court to driving without insurance and a licence, as well as to the theft of makeup from Dunnes Stores in Tallaght.
The court heard that on August 25, 2024, Kavanagh was stopped by Garda Shane Whelan on Cloonmore Drive, Tallaght, while driving a vehicle. She was visibly distressed and engaged in a loud phone argument, the court heard.
Gardaí confirmed that Kavanagh had no valid licence or insurance and was already serving a four-year disqualification imposed in October 2023. The car was seized at the scene.
Kavanagh’s solicitor, Michael Hennessy, said his client had suffered “coercive control and abuse” at the hands of an ex-partner. He said she had been “under serious threat and duress” when she got behind the wheel.
Judge William Aylmer said it was clear the defendant was “under pressure from the outset of the journey” and accepted Garda evidence that she was not calm when stopped.
However, he noted that driving without insurance is a strict liability offence and carries a mandatory disqualification.
Ms Kavanagh was fined €100 and disqualified for four years for driving without insurance. A further €50 fine was imposed for having no licence.
The court also dealt with a separate incident on June 13, last in which Kavanagh stole makeup items worth €331 from Dunnes Stores at The Square Shopping Centre, Tallaght.
The court heard that was seen concealing items in a buggy. The goods were recovered and suitable for resale.
Mr Hennessy told the court that Kavanagh had been under “immense psychological strain” and simply forgot to pay, offering to reimburse staff when challenged. He argued that the circumstances amounted to a genuine lapse during a period of serious personal distress.
The court heard that Kavanagh has 18 previous convictions, including for drugs offences and road traffic matters, with her most recent conviction in March.
Judge Aylmer said that while the theft was serious, the unique personal circumstances warranted mitigation.
He applied Section 1(2) of the Probation Act, meaning no conviction was recorded, providing that Ms Kavanagh entered a €300 peace bond and stay offence-free for 12 months.