Longford District Court: Uninsured driver is fined €300
Defendant avoids a driving ban at Longford District Court
A defendant who drove without a drivers licence or insurance avoided a driving ban at Longford District Court.
Michael O'Leary (41) of 30 Glebe View, Longford faced charges of driving without documentation at Harbour View, Market Square, Longford.
Solicitor John Quinn told Judge Vincent Deane his client was entering a plea of guilty to driving without a licence or insurance. Outlining details of the offence Sergeant Mark Mahon said on April 11, 2024 at 4:30pm an officer on patrol observed a driver on his phone.
The Garda stopped and spoke to the driver, asking for details of license and insurance. Mr O'Leary gave an undertaking to present them at the local Garda station but failed to do so.
The court was told the defendant had four previous, but none were for road traffic offences.
Solicitor John Quinn explained that when stopped Mr O'Leary had taken over the driving from his partner after she felt unwell, Mr Quinn said he did so even though he had no licence.
The solicitor asked the judge to consider not imposing a driving ban on his client, because even though he doesn't have a licence he has applied for the theory test and believes he could gain employment if he has a full licence.
Noting the defendant had no previous conviction for motoring offences Judge Deane said he would not impose a driving ban. Mr O'Leary received a €300 fine with four month to pay for the no insurance charge. The driving without a licence charge was taken into consideration.