Young woman thought she was insured to drive her boyfriend’s car, court is told

A young Muff woman, who drove her boyfriend’s car without insurance last year, has escaped a driving ban in court.

Alyssa Harkin, of Ballyboe, Ture, Muff, pleaded guilty to a charge of no insurance at Buncrana District Court.

The 24-year-old restaurant worker also admitted a separate charge of failure to produce insurance.

Garda Declan Lambe stopped the accused driving a 2009-registered Volkswagen Golf at Ferris Lane, Buncrana on Sunday, October 27, 2024.

A legal demand was made of Ms Harkin to produce proof of her insurance to a Garda Station within ten days; however, she subsequently failed to produce the required documentation.

Sergeant Conor Mulkerns told the court how Ms Harkin has one previous conviction, dating back to Buncrana District Court in February 2021, when a charge of dangerous driving was reduced to careless driving.

Defending the case, solicitor Frank Dorrian said his client was unaware that she was not covered to drive when the guards stopped her last October.

“It’s one of these confused situations,” he told the judge.

“She was driving her boyfriend’s car at the time, and they thought they were good to go. She thought she was covered under her own policy, actually.”

Mr Dorrian added: “It’s as unremarkable as that. She’s an excellent young lady who works in a local restaurant.”

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Judge Ciaran Liddy did not impose a disqualification, given that it was a first offence for no insurance.

He issued a fine of €100, giving Ms Harkin a deadline of six months to pay.

The judge struck out the additional charge of failure to produce insurance.