A painter was fined €300 for driving his car without valid insurance or NCT.
A garda patrol stopped Shaun McSweeney (26), of Main Street, Dunmanway, on March 23rd as he drove his car near his home address.
Gardaí found that Mr McSweeney had no tax, no NCT, no insurance or driving licence at the time and seized his vehicle, issuing a fixed penalty notice.
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Mr McSweeney had no previous convictions and had had a learner’s permit that expired in 2021, Clonakilty District Court heard.
Defence solicitor Conrad Murphy said his client had lived and worked abroad as a chef, including for a time in England and Lapland, and was currently working as a painter.
Mr Murphy said: ‘His girlfriend was previously driving him around to jobs. He then got a car and drove it himself. Since this offence he has got a learner’s licence and has done 12 lessons already since the licence application on November 6th. He’s on the road to getting a test. I’m asking you not to disqualify him, given the circumstances.’
For the charge of driving without insurance, Judge Joanne Carroll issued a €175 fine, striking out the charge of failing to produce insurance.
Mr McSweeney also received a €125 fine for driving without NCT .
Judge Carroll struck out the charges of driving without road tax, NCT not displayed, failing to produce a licence and driving without a valid licence.
Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
