A WOMAN who allowed a passenger to hold a six-month old baby on their lap while she was driving was fined €300 and disqualified for three months.

Winifred McDonagh, 36, of Woodfield Grove, Newcastle West, was prosecuted before the local court in relation to an offence at Station Road, Newcastle West, on September 15, last.

Garda Errol Flynn of the divisional Roads Policing Unit, said there was a number of other children – aged 3, 6, and 10 – in the car who were not restrained when he stopped the vehicle.

Solicitor Pat Enright said his client had not paid the fines as the combined penalty points for each offence would have resulted in her being disqualified.

He said she would “normally be very good” but had not restrained the children as she was on a “very short journey” when she was stopped.

Judge Mary Larkin agreed to strike out three of the charges but said she was imposing a three-month driving ban on the fourth.

“How can she deem herself suitable to hold a licence if she is willing to put them in danger,” she commented.

In a similar-but-separate prosecution, Theresa Lili O’Brien, 52, of Roches Road, Rathkeale, was fined €300 and banned for three months.

In that case, Garda Flynn said he observed a ten-month-old baby which was not restrained when he stopped a car at Ballycannon, Croagh, on September 15, 2018.

He added that two other children – aged two and seven – also were not properly restrained.

Ms O’Brien was not present in court on the day.