Longford motorist pleads guilty to having no insurance

A county Longford motorist, who was detected driving without insurance or tax after being detected by the Garda Active mobility device.

Cosmin Pavalean of Auburn Lodge, Prospect Woods, Longford pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to the offences at Ballinalee on April 22, 2023.

Sergeant Enda Daly said Gardaí stopped the defendant behind the wheel of a Volkswagen Jetta "following an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera warning".

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Officers spoke with the defendant and established the vehicle had no insurance or tax and the vehicle was subsequently seized and brought to a recovery yard.

The ANPR device scans the registration plates and automatically returns relevant data.

The device can also scan a driving licence and automatically return real time information on the roadside to the Garda.

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This has proved successful in identifying false or forged driving licences and disqualified drivers.

Sgt Daly said Pavalean had seven previous convictions, which all related to one incident on June 4, 2024.

The defendant was handed a four year driving ban on June 19, 2024 for road traffic offences, which included driving without insurance or tax on that occasion.

Solicitor Frank Gearty said Mr Pavalean is a father of two who works at Roscommon Hospital and another disqualification would have a very significant impact on him.

“He is doing a serious job,” he added.

Mr Gearty also stated apart from the two incidents his client was otherwise a good character.

Judge Owens decided to convict and fine the defendant €300 along with the driving ban.