Had no insurance on way to NCT test centre

A Canadian national told Sligo District Court he was on his way to the NCT test centre when he was stopped by Gardai.

Stephen Bailey (42) of Dunmadden, Templeboy didn’t have insurance when stopped at Corhownagh on December 15 th last.

Ms Laura Spellman, solicitor (defending) said the defendant , who didn’t have any previous convictions, only moved to Ireland in July 2017 and initially had a rental car before he bought a vehicle. He had difficulty insuring it without an NCT and he took a chance to drive it to the test centre and was on his way there when he was stopped.

However, at the test centre he was told they wouldn’t test it without an NCT.

Judge Kevin Kilrane said he could have got someone to drive the car to the centre for him.

Ms Spellman said he was new to the area and didn’t know anyone. His wife is Japanese. He did make significant efforts and had even rang the Gardaí prior to setting off.

The defendant said the only person he knew was his landlord and he lived in Northern Ireland. He had insurance now, obtaining a policy the next day.

He was a student at IT Sligo and had dual British and Canadian citizenship.

Judge Kilrane adjourned the case to December 13th saying he’d consider then what to do.