Civil servant could lose job over driving ban

A CIVIL servant who was convicted of driving without insurance could lose her job if she lost her driving licence, her solicitor told Judge Geoffrey Browne at Tuam Court.[private] Fiona Finnegan of Sylane, Tuam was found driving without insurance at Abbeytrinity, Tuam on June 29 last. She pleaded guilty to the offence. Karen Hughes solr (defending) said her client had a civil servant position in Galway and needed her licence because she had to drive to work in Galway every morning. She pleaded for the Court not to take her licence away, as is mandatory, except in exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the Judge. However, when Judge Browne was informed that Finnegan had a number of previous convictions, including a number for having a child unrestrained in her car, he said she had too many convictions and was 'not behaving'. He imposed a two-year driving ban and a fine of €700. Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.[/private]