Banned Longford driver was picking up food for his wife when gardaí stopped him at checkpoint

A motorist who was caught driving while serving a lengthy road ban has been disqualified for eight years, and directed to complete 240 hours of community service.

At a previous sitting Longford District Court heard how Maciek Szczerba (30) of Clontumpher, Ballinalee had been driving into Longford town on the morning of August 17 last to pick up food for his wife - who was unable to drive due to having recently undergone a caesarian section - when he was stopped by Gardaí at a checkpoint at Clonbalt.

Officers asked Mr Szczerba to produce his drivers licence and he replied he did not have it.

Also read: Disqualified Longford driver covered face as he tried to evade gardaí

A check on the Garda mobility device however confirmed Mr Szczerba was in fact a disqualified driver.

He was charged with driving while disqualified as well as driving without insurance.

Sergeant Mark Mahon informed Judge Bernadette Owens last Tuesday that the father of three was currently in the midst of a 10 year disqualification and had been given community service in lieu of prison.

He also explained that Mr Szczerba’s convictions prior to the 10 year disqualification included two that had each carried a four year disqualification.

He also had four additional convictions relating to driving without insurance. Mr Szczerba had 11 previous convictions.

Also read: Cheap house in Longford has big potential due to hidden feature out the back

Solicitor Frank Gearty, defending, said his client, a father of three young children aged eight, three and a newborn baby, had completed the pro social driving course in early December in a positive manner.

"He is back here again, judge pleading with you to consider finding a way of dealing with it by way of community service or such other way other than a prison service. He is conscious that this is very serious."

Mr Gearty said his client was doing an errand for his wife when he was detected. "He shouldn't have done it and he knows that. He is certainly here with a capped hand judge."

Mr Gearty said his client earns a modest income of €650 per week and he has to pay rent of between €800 and €1,000 per month so he has 'poor financial circumstances'.

Also read: Longford man stole car on Christmas Day and crashed causing €6,000 damage to property

Judge Owens considered the facts and she noted the guilty plea and she decided to impose 240 hours of community service in lieu of five months imprisonment and an eight year driving ban for the driving without insurance offence.

She also imposed a €600 fine with six months to pay on Mr Szczerba and she disqualified him for three years for driving without a licence.