Saturday 31 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. 18719Driving offence involving a child at a car window · Co. Offaly · 9 Jul 2023

Woman fined after son sat out of car window while she drove in Birr

On 9 July 2023, Garda Dhiarmaid Loughnane observed Charlene Grogan (35), of Grove Street, Birr, driving at Barrack Street, Birr, County Offaly, with a young boy, reported as her 13-year-old son, sitting on the window frame with half his body out of the car window. Grogan had one previous conviction for driving unaccompanied as a learner driver. The evidence was given at Tullamore District Court before Judge Andrew Cody. Reported on 5 January 2024, the judge fined her €500, payable within six months, and warned that she would be disqualified from driving if it happened again.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced5 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A young boy sat on the window frame of a car being driven, with half his body out of the window.
Where
The car was being driven at Barrack Street, Birr, County Offaly.
When
The incident was observed on 9 July 2023.
Other details
  • The woman was named as Charlene Grogan, aged 35, of Grove Street, Birr.
  • The boy was reported as the woman's 13-year-old son.
Charges
The case concerned a driving offence involving a child at a car window.
Investigation
Garda Dhiarmaid Loughnane observed the incident and gave evidence in court.
In court
  • The evidence was given at Tullamore District Court before Judge Andrew Cody.
  • Grogan had one previous conviction for driving unaccompanied while a learner driver.
Sentence
  • The judge fined her €500, payable within six months.
  • The judge warned she would be disqualified from driving if it happened again.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe car was being driven at Barrack Street, Birr. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident was observed on 9 July 2023. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe evidence was given at Tullamore District Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe woman had one previous conviction for driving unaccompanied while a learner driver. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge fined the woman €500 and gave her six months to pay. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge warned that she would be disqualified from driving if it happened again. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherA young boy was sitting on the window frame of the car with half of his body out of the car window. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Jan2024
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Garda catches woman in Midlands driving with 13 year old son 'hanging out' car window

    Reports the District Court outcome: a €500 fine payable within six months and a warning of disqualification. Gives the incident date, location and a previous conviction for driving unaccompanied as a learner driver.

    convicted, Charlene Grogan, 35, female, named, irish (judged from name)Charlene Grogan