Mum drove uninsured to Clonakilty's Model Railway Village

By BRIAN MOORE

A MOTHER of three young children, who was previously convicted of driving while disqualified, and without motor insurance, pleaded with Judge David Waters at a sitting of Bandon District Court not to impose a custodial sentence.

Stacey O’Mahony, with an address in Ballincollig, was stopped by gardaí in Bandon, on Saturday, July 23rd 2016, as she was returning with her children from a visit to the West Cork Model Railway in Clonakilty.

Ms O’Mahony, who has 40 separate convictions, which include Public Order and theft offences, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving while disqualified, told the court that she accepted that her previous history was bad.

‘I had issues with alcohol, which I have dealt with. I know that I shouldn’t have, but I took a chance. I wanted to take the children to the Model Village and I know I should not have done this. I have three small children and I will do anything to avoid jail. I am asking the court for another chance,’ Ms O’Mahony said.

Judge Waters said that Ms O’Mahony was right when she spoke of facing a jail sentence. ‘This is not the first time that you have committed this offence and you are indeed facing a custodial sentence.’

Speaking on behalf of Ms O’Mahony, solicitor Daithí Ó Donnabháin said that his client had taken steps and was prepared to be disqualified from driving once more. 

‘She had addressed all the problems she has encountered in her past and she understands that she should not have taken the car out. Ms O’Mahony has put arrangements in place to be disqualified for driving once more and is terrified for her young children, should she be sent to jail,’ Mr Ó Donnabháin said.

Judge Waters concluded that Stacey O’Mahony knew that she was disqualified but still took her three children out in a car without insurance. ‘This is the second time you have committed this crime and while you are facing a custodial sentence, I will take into account that you have taken steps to get your life back in order and that your children are very young,’ Judge Waters said. ‘Therefore, I will give you a four-month suspended sentence and an order to keep the peace for 12 months. I will also disqualify you from driving for a further eight years. However, if you appear before this court again, you will receive a jail sentence.’