Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 17375Speeding · Co. Laois · 25 Oct 2023

Solicitor told she was 'wearing two hats' in Laois speeding case

On 25 October 2023, a car was detected travelling at 130kph in a 120kph zone on the M7 at Meelick, Laois. Frances O'Donovan, a woman from Limerick, was issued a fixed charge penalty notice for the speeding and was later summoned to court. At a sitting of Portlaoise District Court, her daughter, solicitor Ashling Walsh, sought to represent her and to nominate herself as the driver, and Judge Nicola Andrews said she was 'wearing two hats'. The case was struck out after €700 was paid to the court poor box.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Frances O'Donovan was summoned to court in relation to a speeding fine.
Where
The car was detected travelling at 130kph in a 120kph zone on the M7 at Meelick, Laois.
When
  • The offence took place on 25 October 2023.
  • The court report was published on 3 May 2024 according to one source and on 5 May 2024 according to the article text.
Cause
The offence was speeding.
Charges
A fixed charge penalty notice had been issued in relation to the speeding.
In court
  • The case was heard at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court.
  • Ashling Walsh, a solicitor and the suspect's daughter, sought to represent her mother and to nominate herself as the speeding driver.
  • Judge Nicola Andrews said the solicitor was 'wearing two hats' and that she did not think this was appropriate.
Other details
  • Ashling Walsh said her mother was working in Croatia for the Department of Foreign Affairs.
  • Ashling Walsh said she had been driving from Limerick to Dublin on the date of the offence.
Sentence
The case was struck out after €700 was paid to the court poor box.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe car was detected travelling at 130kph in a 120kmh zone on the M7 at Meelick, Laois. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offence was on October 25 last year. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeFrances O’Donovan was summoned to court in relation to a speeding fine. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeA fixed charge penalty notice had been issued in relation to the speeding. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Nicola Andrews said the solicitor was wearing two hats. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe case was struck out after €700 was paid to the court poor box. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHer daughter Ashling Walsh said the mother was working in Croatia for the Department of Foreign Affairs. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherAshling Walsh said she had been driving from Limerick to Dublin on the date of the offence. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 May2024
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Solicitor told she was 'wearing two hats’ in court over Laois speeding case

    Court report on the hearing. The daughter, Ashling Walsh, said she had been driving and asked to nominate herself as the driver. The judge struck out the case after €700 was paid.

    accused, Frances O'Donovan, female, named, irish (judged from name)Frances O'Donovansuspect, Ashling Walsh, named, irish (judged from name)Ashling Walsh