Wheely wrong Dublin mum with no car insurance 'not above law' and 'thoroughly deserves' jail

A MOTHER-of-two caught driving without insurance for the third time has been told by a judge she is "not above the law" and will be jailed for three months.

Aoife MacCourt (40), a banned driver, got behind the wheel "within days" of being given a four-year disqualification and "thoroughly deserves" prison, Judge David McHugh said.

Banning her for five years, he adjourned the case to early next month, when MacCourt will be sent to jail.

The accused, from Adamstown Avenue, Lucan, pleaded guilty to uninsured and unlicensed driving.

Garda Sergeant Maria Callaghan said MacCourt was stopped driving a silver Kia Rio at Balgaddy Road, Clondalkin, last November 9.

She admitted to gardaí she was disqualified. The accused had two previous convictions for having no insurance and was given a four-year ban in October last year.

MacCourt was a single mother with young children and had been trying to sell her car, her solicitor Valerie Buckley said.

The accused had suffered with a heroin addiction and was now on methadone and hoping to get into employment. She "has no intention of driving for a very long time."

Judge McHugh said within "a matter of days" of her last conviction, MacCourt went out and drove again.

He sentenced her and said he would perfect the order in four weeks.

"This lady is not above the law," he said. "She thoroughly deserves to go to prison."