Disqualifiedafter fournoinsurance

A 25 year old man has been given 240 hours community service as well as a suspended sentence, and banned from driving for six years after the judge heard this was his fourth conviction for no insurance.

Shane Dixon (24), 526 Ashling Park, Cox’s Demesne, also admitted not paying for a set of toothbrushes at Aldi, Newry Road on 11 June 2015. The items were recovered.

The cases had been adjourned for a community service report on the theft charge, which, solicitor Conor MacGuill, had found his client suitable. But Judge William Hamill wanted to know about another charge of having no insurance and whether this had been taken into account at the time the report was ordered.

Sgt. Fintain McGroder said Dixon had been banned for five years in 2013 for having no insurance. This was, the Garda said, Dixon’s fourth time before the court for no insurance.

Mr MacGuill said Dixon had ‘suffered from addictions in the past but is now in a position that he is stable and is taking the help that is being offered to him by the services and has been found suitable for community service’.

But Judge Hamill said: ‘How can we stop him driving without insurance and while he’s disqualified?’ He said he wanted some time to consider the matter and adjourned it for a short time.

When the case was recalled, the judge was told that Dixon had been engaging with the rehabilitation services and is attending counselling as directed by the Probation Service.

Judge Hamill imposed a total of 240 hours community service, a six year driving ban and a five month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.