6 years off road for man caught twice without insurance in 10 days

A 26-year-old man stopped driving without insurance twice in little over ten days was put off the road for six years by Judge David Waters at Listowel District Court on Thursday.

Michael McCarthy, 4 O’Connell’s Avenue, Listowel pleaded guilty to two charges of no insurance arising from October 3 and October 14 of last year; as well as to a charge of acting in a threatening manner.

Sergeant Miriam Mulhall Nolan told the Court that Mr McCarthy had become very upset when gardaí took his car from him following the second incident, on Market Street, Listowel.

“He became quite aggressive and abusive... it was all verbal,” Sgt Mulhall Nolan informed Judge Waters.

Solicitor Pat Enright told the court that his client was usually ‘scrupulous in relation to his requirements under the Road Traffic Act’ but had believed that he was covered by insurance under a commercial policy on a van.

“It is quite clear he knew he wasn’t covered by insurance and took it out again on October 14,” Judge Waters remarked.

Mr Enright said his client had been bringing the vehicle back from a garage on the second occasion. Judge Waters put Mr McCarthy off the road for two years on the first charge, four on the second, fining him on each. He must also pay €200 to the Garda Benevolent Fund by September 6 on the charge of acting in a threatenting manner towards gardaí on October 14 last.