ATTEMPTEDTO CHANGEWHEEL

A motorist spotted by the guards trying to change a wheel of his car, has ended up in court on no insurance and public order charges.

Pádraig Martin (40), 33 Pinewood Grove, Bay Estate, pleaded guilty to the offences which occurred at Ecco Road on 7 August last.

Evidence was given that at 3.04pm on the date Martin had pulled in and was attempting change the front driver’s side wheel.

He appeared intoxicated. He was slurring his words and was unsteady on his feet.

He told the guards he only had the car a few weeks and that he had no insurance. The vehicle was seized.

Martin became abusive and aggressive towards gardaí and had to be restrained.

Judge Jones asked was there a prosecution for drink driving and was told ‘no’.

Sgt McGroder added the defendant has two previous convictions for drink driving.

Solicitor Paula Tiernan handed in a letter from her client’s doctor ‘outlining the difficulties he is facing’.

A part-time painter/decorator he hopes to obtain full-time employment, Ms. Tiernan continued, and she added there are no previous convictions for uninsured driving or public order.

The judge said he won’t impose a disqualification for no insurance, rather a €500 fine.

He ordered Martin to sign a 12-month peace bond for the public order matters of being intoxicated in a public place and engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.