Motorist caught driving without insurance four times is jailed

A MAN who now has four convictions for driving without insurance was given a 10 year driving ban and six months in prison at Mallow District court.

Patrick Quilligan (48) of 9 Valley Walk, College Wood, Mallow pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, no insurance and driving without a driving licence at Goulds Hill, Mallow on November 3, 2013.

Inspector Eddie Golden told Judge Brian Sheridan that Mr Quilligan had three previous convictions for no insurance. He said in 2003, he did not have insurance when he was convicted for drink driving, and in 2004, he got a five year ban for no insurance.

In 2008, he also did not have insurance when he was convicted for drink driving.

Solicitor Dave Waters said the case before the court did have “some background.”

However, Judge Sheridan said it couldn't get any worse as his client now had four convictions for no insurance. “If anyone had any brain then they would not go near a car without insurance,” said Judge Sheridan.

Mr Waters submitted two documents to the court, of which one was a medical letter. He said that his client gets the bus up and down to Cork all the time as he had family members who were ill in hospital. Mr Waters even produced a bulk of bus tickets which his client had collected.

“It was silly what he did. What happened on the day was an emergency as he is constantly on the bus going up and down to Cork. He has put his hands up to the charges before the court,” said Mr Waters. “He made one stupid mistake.”

However, Judge Sheridan said his client now had made four “stupid mistakes,” for driving without insurance. He also sentenced him to six months in prison.

He issued recognisance in the event of an appeal at €100 cash.