Portlaoise Court: Woman was 'absolutely petrified' to be in court
Portlaoise Courthouse
A WOMAN may escape a driving disqualification if she donates €5,000 to a charity before 24 July.
So Judge Andrew Cody said at Portlaoise District Court when Caoimhe Dunne Brennan, Schoolhouse Gate, Ballinkillen, Carlow pleaded guilty to dangerous driving on 18 May on the M7 at Cappakeel, Portlaoise, when she was caught driving at a speed of 181kph in a 120kph zone.
Defending solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said the incident took place at 11.30am that morning as his 21-year-old client was driving to Tipperary after staying over in Dublin the night before.
He said that Ms Dunne Brennan, who works in the care profession, was “absolutely petrified to be in court”.
He said: “She is highly thought of and has a letter from her lecturer and a letter from herself for her offending. She is crippled with anxiety at the thought of having to come to court. Everyone speaks very highly of her good character. She’s probably going to lose everything because of a moment of madness (speeding).”
“It was a moment of madness,” agreed Judge Cody.
Mr Fitzgerald said: “This lady will definitely never be seen again in court ever again. She is asking for one opportunity and can get €3,000 if she was given a week or two.”
Asked by Judge Cody what the prosecuting officer, Garda Roy Cooper, thought.
Garda Cooper said: “I’d say it’s very unlikely you’ll see her back before the courts again. She’s one of the few you won’t see back in front of you again.”
Judge Cody adjourned the case to 24 July for finalisation and instructed Ms Dunne Brennan that if she donated €5,000 to North Tipperary Hospice before that date that he would consider reducing the charge from dangerous to careless driving.
