The smashed glass at the front of the garda station in Tullamore. Pic: Ger Rogers
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19 Dec 2025
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19 Dec 2025
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Guilty plea entered at Tullamore District Court
A WOMAN was duped into paying €700 for what turned out to be a false driving licence, Tullamore District Court was told.
Alina Novytska (33), St Cormac's Park, Kilcormac, admitted having the false licence in her custody at her own address on a date unknown between July 19, 2023 and April 2, 2025.
Sergeant Brendan Kearns said that on July 19, 2023 Ms Novytska opened a Revolut account, providing a Polish driving licence. The licence was flagged for additional verification and was identified as fake.
Sergeant Kearns said the home of the woman was searched and when the licence was found it was seized and gardai then examined it and certified it not to be genuine.
A plea of guilty was entered on Ms Novytska's behalf by David Nugent, BL, who said she now had a driving licence.
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She had asked for advice and was told that if she gave an individual €700 she would be given a licence.
“She was taken advantage of, she was scammed,” said Mr Nugent.
When Judge Andrew Cody put it to Mr Nugent that she knew the licence was false, the barrister said she did not and she had been told the licence was legitimate.
“She didn't know any better. This happens all the time.”
A Ukrainian woman, she intended starting work as a volunteer in January. Mr Nugent said “we could all get duped like that” as a new entrant to a country.
Judge Cody imposed a fine of €700.
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