Judge hands Longford man four year driving ban

A Co Longford man who pleaded guilty to being behind the wheel of his car without insurance has been fined and put off the road for four years.

Judge Seamus Hughes imposed the sanction on Martin McDonagh, of 2 Congress Terrace, Longford at last Tuesday’s District Court sitting arising from an incident at Main Street, Longford on July 8 2018. The court was told Mr McDonagh had previously been convicted for driving without insurance on June 6 2017.

On that occasion, the Longford man was not handed a driving ban but was issued with a €250 fine. Defence solicitor Frank Gearty said his client was acutely aware that his previous record meant a disqualification would almost certainly be enforced. He also said Mr McDonagh was a father of two who was due to become a father for a third time in the near future.

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He added his client was presently out of work and was continuing to see a psychologist to address his own mental health concerns. Mr McDonagh was further charged with having his two children in the car without safety restraints. However, Mr Gearty said while he couldn’t categorically confirm whether the children were safely fastened in, the car did not move off after Garda Aiden Lenehan had intervened.

Judge Seamus Hughes said he would not be imposing any additional financial penalty for the latter charges, he had little choice but to disqualify Mr McDonagh from driving for a period of four years.

A €250 fine was similarly handed down. A further charge of failing to produce an NCT certificate within ten days was taken into consideration.