'The accused was now eight months pregnant with her first child, barrister Alan Grace said.' (stock photo)

A pregnant woman has been jailed for repeatedly driving off from garages without paying.

Nikita Folan (25) had become homeless and was "desperate" to keep her car running at the time, a court heard.

Jailing Folan for five months, Judge Dermot Dempsey said it was "not his problem" that she was now expecting.

He also banned her from driving for eight years.

Folan, of Carton Court, Balbutcher Lane, Ballymun, admitted failing to pay for petrol three times at north Dublin garages in 2016 and 2017 as well as having no insurance.

The accused was now eight months pregnant with her first child, barrister Alan Grace said.

She had no history of alcohol or drug abuse.

Issues

Folan had become homeless following issues at the family home, Mr Grace said, and had been "clinging on to" her vehicle.

Although she was "quite desperate to keep the car running", she could not afford fuel or insurance.

She is now back living in the family home.

Mr Grace asked the judge not to impose a custodial sentence, repeating that Folan was expecting a child.

"That is not my problem," the judge said, adding that those who were running the garages must be considered.

Mr Grace said the defendant would pay compensation, but the judge said that should have been "well sorted by now."

He noted that Folan had her licence suspended before.

Bail terms were set in the event of an appeal.