Jail for woman who failed to dispose of car

A COUNTY Galway woman who allegedly drove a car while disqualified after she had agreed to sell it as part of bail conditions, was jailed last week.

Judge James Faughnan issued an arrest warrant at Ballinasloe District Court last Thursday morning after Amanda Lynskey of Barnaboy, Laurencetown, Ballinasloe failed to appear to face fresh motoring charges.

Ms Lynskey appeared in court in the afternoon, after Garda Jessica Chaplin Dowd executed the warrant for the woman who said she was delayed by a medical appointment in Roscommon.

Garda Colm Barrow gave evidence of arrest, charge, and caution of the accused, who made no reply after caution.

He charged Ms Lynskey with driving without insurance or a licence at Mr Price, Townparks, Ballinasloe on October 13, 2026.

Garda Sergeant Christy Browne said the accused was disqualified from driving when she was detected driving by Garda Barrow.

Sgt Browne said that at the last hearing at Tuam District Court in June, as part of her bail conditions, Ms Lynskey agreed not to drive and gave an undertaking to dispose of her car.

This has not happened, he said, despite the defendant signing a bail bond committing to disposing of the car.

The 40-year-old accused pleaded with Judge James Faughnan that she had to care for a sick child and an elderly mother. She insisted that she was “in the process of selling” the car.

Judge Faughnan said he had to protect public safety, and he was not taking a chance with public safety.

Judge Faughnan refused bail and remanded Ms Lynskey in custody to appear before the next sitting of Tuam District Court. He told her to dispose of the car in the meantime, as per the June bail conditions.

“If it needs to be put into a pound, so be it,” said Judge Faughnan.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme