Jail term and 15 year ban on no insurance

A North Louth man who was before Dundalk District Court last week for the eighth time for having no insurance has been disqualified for 15 years and given a jail term, which he is appealing.

James McGrath, (47), Ardtullybeg, Riverstown, was summonsed for having no insurance, no tax and no NCT at Ballaverty on May 31 2015. Solicitor Eleanor Kelly asked for the case to be adjourned as McGrath has insurance certificates for a number of vehicles and for a number of years, but not for this particular incident.

Ms Kelly said her client believes he was insured on his father’s policy and his dad passed away in January. But Judge Coughlan said the case was going on, and noted it had been adjourned nine times in the past.

McGrath, the court was told, has 43 previous convictions, seven for no insurance.

Ms Kelly again asked for ‘one more week’ to get the documents McGrath believed he had.

But Judge Coughlan said it was ‘ too late’ and McGrath addressed the judge, saying: ‘I was a carer for my father who was terminally ill and I now care for the my mother. I wouldn’t waste the court’s time saying I had insurance when I didn’t, but I do’.

Judge Coughlan imposed a 15 year disqualification and a four month jail term, along with a €15 fine. He allowed McGrath to appeal in his own bond.