Thursday 29 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. 11341Driving without insurance · Co. Kilkenny

Woman jailed for driving without insurance in Kilkenny

On August 29, gardaí on patrol on the Bennettsbridge Road in Kilkenny observed a vehicle being driven by Elysia Drew, a woman, and established that there was no active insurance on it. Gardaí arrested her and seized the vehicle, and a bag they believed was for theft was found in the back seat. Drew was convicted at Kilkenny District Court of having no insurance, driving without a licence and failing to give information to gardaí. The most recent development, reported on 28 January 2026, is that she was sentenced to four months in prison, banned from driving for six years and fined €250, with recognisances fixed in the event of an appeal.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced27 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A woman drove a vehicle without valid insurance.
Where
The offences took place on the Bennettsbridge Road, Kilkenny.
When
The offences took place on August 29.
Investigation
  • Gardaí on patrol observed the vehicle being driven by the defendant, Elysia Drew.
  • Gardaí established that there was no active insurance on the vehicle.
  • The defendant was arrested and the vehicle was seized.
  • Gardaí seized a plastic, foil-lined bag from the back seat, which they believed was going to be used in theft offences.
Other details
  • The defendant gave gardaí false details.
  • The defendant was disqualified from driving at the time, and a warrant was in place for her arrest.
  • Her solicitor said she panicked and should have given her correct name to gardaí.
  • The defendant has 27 previous convictions.
Charges
She was convicted of having no insurance, driving without a licence and failing to give information to gardaí.
In court
The case was heard at Kilkenny District Court.
Sentence
  • She was sentenced to four months in prison, banned from driving for six years and fined €250.
  • Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman drove without valid insurance. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place on the Bennettsbridge Road, Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place on August 29. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationGardaí on patrol observed a vehicle being driven by the defendant. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationGardaí established that there was no active insurance on the vehicle. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationThe defendant was arrested and the vehicle was seized. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationGardaí seized a plastic, foil-lined bag from the back seat, which they believed was going to be used in theft offences. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeShe was convicted of having no insurance. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeShe was convicted of driving without a licence. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeShe was convicted of failing to give information to gardaí. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Kilkenny District Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceShe was sentenced to four months in prison. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceShe was banned from driving for six years. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceShe was fined €250. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defendant gave gardaí false details. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defendant was disqualified from driving at the time and a warrant was in place for her arrest. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defendant has 27 previous convictions. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherHer solicitor said she panicked and should have given her correct name to gardaí. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherRecognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Jan2026
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Young mother jailed for driving without insurance in Kilkenny

    Reports the sentence and the offences the woman was convicted of, including a warrant for her arrest, a disqualification at the time, a seized vehicle and a bag gardaí believed was for theft, and her solicitor's comments.

    convicted, Elysia Drew, female, named, irish (judged from name)Elysia Drew