Extremely sorry': Uninsured Longford driver hit with five year road ban and suspended sentence

A mother of two, who was caught driving while disqualified and without insurance for a third time by Gardaí, has been handed a four months prison sentence and a five year disqualification.

Jennifer Forde, of 17 Canal Green, Prospect Woods, Longford pleaded guilty to a series of driving offences, including driving while disqualified at the local district court last Tuesday.

Sergeant Enda McNulty said Gardaí were on patrol at Dublin Street, Longford on August 7, 2024 at 10.15pm when they observed the defendant, a person who was known to have no driving licence or insurance and was disqualified, driving a vehicle.

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The court heard a demand was made to Ms Forde to provide a driving licence or insurance but she failed to provide either document.

Mrs Forde had 18 previous convictions.

Sgt McNulty said the defendant had appeared in that court on March 18, 2025 for driving without insurance on April 4, 2024 and she had been disqualified for four years and fined €400.

The court heard Mrs Forde also previously appeared in court for driving without insurance in September 2024 and in May 2022 and separately for drug-driving and drink driving offences.

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Solicitor Frank Gearty said his client had not known about the summons for the current offences when she last appeared in court in March.

"She did openly admit to the court judge at the time that she had gone on a period of time when she was driving while disqualified and it was a period of a few months.

"The first detection of this recent traunch was on June 14th, 2024 when she was detected driving while disqualified," he added.

Mr Gearty said Mrs Forde offended again the following September but she gave Judge Owens 'solemn assurances about what would happen. "The car was decommissioned," he added.

Mr Gearty said his client was referred to engage with the probation services last December and then on March 18 she 'made her peace so to speak' with the court.

"While I appreciate that this is another offence there was no attempt to hide the fact that this was the state of affairs at the time of the offending last summer.

"She continues to hold down a part-time job and she is supported by social welfare," he added.

Mr Gearty said Mrs Forde is a Dublin native who moved to Longford with her sister and she has worked hard and made a 'contribution' to her community.

"She is extremely embarrassed and sorry.”

Judge Bernadette Owens decided to impose a four month jail term, which she suspended for an 18-month period along with the lengthy driving ban.