A MOTHER’s claim that she got an elaborately forged drivers licence from “two Polish men in an apartment” has been deemed “an unbelievable explanation” by gardai and the district court judge who has given her a suspended prison sentence.
24-year-old Leanne Mulqueen was given two weeks to identify the source of the elaborate fake licence to gardai before the District Court Judge would impose sentence after she pleaded guilty.
However when garda Pat Kirwan came before the court last week, he told Judge O’Kelly that the explanation that Ms Mulqueen was drunk when she met two Polish men offering her a licence was “unbelievable”.
“I find it very difficult to believe this as Ms Mulqueen just happened to have a photograph with her at the time.”
Garda Kirwan told a sitting of Limerick District Court that Ms Mulqueen, when asked if she could show the location of the apartment where she got the licence, said that she didn’t know where it was only that it was near the Round House.
The matters came to light when Leanne Mulqueen was stopped on the Hyde Road by gardai on July 7, 2012 and tried to pass off the licence despite having an four year disqualification from driving in place.
When the matter was first adjourned, Ms Mulqueen said that she was unable to track down Garda Kirwan during the first week.
However she was given a second opportunity to meet with the garda in question.
Garda Kirwan said he “doesn’t believe very much” what Ms Mulqueen said happened and therefore he “wouldn’t waste any more time.”
With 16 previous convictions including three for dangerous driving Ms Mulqueen had a four year ban in place at the time and has since received an eight year ban.
Solicitor John Devane said his client, who gave birth four months ago, is “turning her life around.”
Judge O’Kelly imposed a five month prison sentence but suspended it for a period of two years.
