Judge tells woman in court over TV licence fine she could face jail

Tara Kane had been sentenced to serve a 40-hour community service order after she failed to pay a fine for not possessing a TV licence

Judge Andrew Gubbins was informed last week at the local district court that, to date, Ms Kane had served just 16 of 40 community service hours. Stock image

A Laois woman fined more than seven years ago for failing to hold a TV licence was given the choice of paying the outstanding fine, performing community service or serving a prison sentence.

Tara Kane, 34, of Clonrooske View, Knockmay, Portlaoise, had been sentenced to serve a 40-hour community service order after she failed to pay a fine for not possessing a TV licence.

Over seven years later, Judge Andrew Gubbins was informed last week at the local district court that, to date, Ms Kane had served just 16 of 40 community service hours.

Probation officer Shane McManus said that Ms Kane had been given ample opportunity to complete her sentence, “but she gave many excuses not to do so and I’d question her intent to complete this order.” 

The defendant’s solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client had been ordered to pay the €150 fine with €50 in costs on 21 February 2020 for the offence that took place on 25 April 2019 “but had failed to pay the fine” and a community service order was imposed in lieu of the non-payment of the fine.

Judge Gubbins noted: “She was directed to do 40 hours, but only 16 hours were undertaken.” 

Ms Fitzpatrick asked could the case be adjourned because her client “may be in a position to bring the fine to court the next day?” 

"She either pays the fine or completes the order and completes it as quickly as possible. If not, the court’s patience will run out and will have to consider a custodial sentence,” said the judge.

He went on to adjourn the case to 12 October.

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• Laois Nationalist