Learner driver caught driving unaccompanied at the same place in Sligo twice within 10 months
The Sligo ChampionA learner driver was caught driving unaccompanied at the same place twice within 10 months. She was amongst a number of drivers before Tubbercurry District Court for various motoring offences.
Vuyokazi Nono Ralawe (43) of Cnoc na Sí, Tubbercurry was charged with driving unaccompanied as a learner driver and having no L plates at the R294 Rathscanlon on November 5, 2024. She was also charged with driving unaccompanied at the same place on August 27, 2025.
Sgt McDonagh told the court that gardaí were carrying out a checkpoint when they stopped Ralawe at 8:57am, who was not accompanied as a learner driver and had no L plates displayed.
On August 22, 2025, at 2:25pm, gardaí were carrying out a checkpoint at the same location when they stopped Ralawe, who was driving unaccompanied as a leaner driver again. The defendant was issued with a Fixed Charge Penalty Notice which went unpaid.
Mr Adrian Gillick, solicitor (defending), told Judge Ciaran Liddy that his client was learning to drive at the time and that normally she would have a friend onboard with her.
He added that on these two occasions, Ralawe’s friend was unavailable. He continued that his client does realise the seriousness of the charges and that she is facing disqualification.
Mr Gillick said that Ralawe had a chequered past and that she was the mother of five children. He added that his client was in emergency accommodation at the time of the offences.
Mr Gillick replied that his client failed her driving test last June due to a defect on her car. He added that she was still on the waiting list for a test.
Mr Gillick said that Ralawe had eight penalty points and was facing a six-month disqualification due to her chequered past with road traffic convictions.
Judge Liddy noted that it had been 11 years since Ralawe’s last incident. He fined the defendant €100 on each charge.
Blaine Connolly (40) of Tavneena, Charlestown, Co. Mayo was charged with driving without a driving licence, insurance and a learner permit on January 29, Bellaghy, Charlestown. He was also charged with failing to produce a licence, insurance and a learner permit.
Sergeant David McDonagh told the court that at 6:30pm, gardaí were on duty when they received an APR alert on Connolly’s vehicle. The defendant was stopped and gardaí discovered that he was driving whilst disqualified. Connolly was arrested and conveyed to Castlebar Garda Station.
Mr Morgan Coleman, solicitor (defending), told Judge Liddy, that his client had no electricity in his house when he took the foolish decision to get in his car and drive.
The court heard that Connolly had seven previous convictions and that he was disqualified for four years in 2022.
Mr Coleman said that Connolly had a difficult year and that he was not making good decisions. He handed in a letter of apology from Connolly to the court.
Mr Coleman said that his client had completed a driver’s awareness course. He added that Connolly works very hard as a block layer and that his wife was expecting their child in July.
Mr Coleman continued that his client does realise what can happen when driving without a licence and that he would not do it ever again.
Judge Liddy adjourned the case to January 27, 2027 and told Connolly that if he did not offend again, he would be fined €500 and disqualified for one year. He added that if the defendant committed any further offences, he would face six months in prison.
Marek Furdan (52) of Glenbrook, Killinagh Road, Knock, Co. Mayo was charged with driving without a driving licence and insurance at Bracklagh, Charlestown, Co. Mayo on April 29, 2026.
Mr Tom Walsh, solicitor (defending), told Judge Liddy that Furdan was disqualified by the accumulation of penalty points. He added that his client was on his way to Sligo University Hospital as his wife was ill.
Mr Walsh added that his client did not realise the seriousness of the offence. He added that Furdan’s wife attended her GP previously who advised her to go straight to hospital if she got symptoms again.
The court heard that Furdan was disqualified from driving on April 8 for a period of six months and that he had no previous convictions.
Mr Walsh said that Furdan was the father of two and asked Judge Liddy to be as lenient as he can.
Judge Liddy fined the defendant €100.
Conor O’Keefe (51) of Ard Ligalisbeen, Ballindine, Co. Mayo was charged with driving without a driving licence and insurance at N17, Lurgan, Upper Charlestown on September 7, 2025.
Mr Eoin Gallagher, solicitor (defending), told Judge Liddy that his client was disqualified from driving due to an accumulation of penalty points for a period of six months. He explained that O’Keefe thought that his disqualification period ended on August 25 rather than the actual date of September 25.
Mr Gallagher said that it was quite clear that when gardaí spoke to O’Keefe that he thought he was able to drive. He added that his client was very embarrassed and asked Judge Liddy to use his discretion.
Judge Liddy fined O’Keefe €100 for driving without insurance and took into consideration the other charge.
Gemma Foster (59) of Parklands, Tubbercurry was charged with careless driving at Carrowreilly, Tubbercurry on August 3, 2025.
Sgt McDonagh told the court that Foster collided with a car in front of her. Judge Liddy asked if the defendant rear ended the car which Sgt McDonagh confirmed.
The court heard that Foster had no previous convictions.
Mr Eoin Gallagher, solicitor (defending), told Judge Liddy that his client was driving to Tubbercurry from Sligo when she was blinded by the sun. He added that Foster reached over for her sunglasses when she hit the car in front.
Mr Gallagher said that Foster needed her car for medical appointments in Galway. He added that his client pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity.
Article funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.