Woman (40) who got behind the wheel 'within days' of getting four year ban is jailed

Banned driver Aoife MacCourt (40) got behind the wheel "within days" of being given a four-year disqualification and "thoroughly deserved" jail, a judge said.

Judge David McHugh refused to spare her a prison sentence after a plea from her defence lawyer, who said MacCourt's children "absolutely need their mother".

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

Blanchardstown District Court heard she was stopped driving at Balgaddy Road, Clondalkin, last November 9 and at Shancastle Park, Clondalkin, on February 1 this year.

She had two previous convictions for having no insurance and was given a four-year ban in October last year.

MacCourt did have insurance previously but it lapsed because she did not have the necessary documentation furnished on time, her solicitor Valerie Buckley said.

The accused, a single mother, had suffered with a heroin addiction and was now on methadone and getting her life back on track, Ms Buckley said.

She asked the judge not to imprison her client.

Judge McHugh said he had already given the three-month sentence at an earlier court sitting. The case had been adjourned for the accused to get her affairs in order and he confirmed the sentence, as well as a six-year driving ban.

MacCourt was "not above the law", the judge had said earlier.