Uninsured driver struck car head-on

A van driver who collided with a car and telephone pole and didn’t have insurance has been fined a total of €1,200 by Judge Kevin Kilrane at Sligo District Court.

The case had been adjourned for a week against Thomas Quinn (39) of Cartron Bay who had been charged with dangerous driving and not having insurance at Cartron Hill on June 26 th 2017.

Gardaí were called to the scene of an accident at 9.40pm but the defendant had driven away afterwards.

He was located some 15 minutes later and told Gardaí he had a blackout.

The driver of the car stated how he had driven from the N4 onto Carton Hill heading towards Rosses Point when a white van came towards him the wrong way on the slip road and there was a collision.

The van driver failed to stop.

Last week’s court heard that the defendant had been involved in a serious diving accident in Teneriffe some time previously and was lucky not to have been paralysed.

Defending solicitor, Mr Gerard McGovern said the defendant was a hardworking man who did not have any previous convictions.

He had bought an English registered van but it wasn’t imported correctly and the company cancelled his insurance.

On hearing the outline of the case, Judge Kilrane adjourned a decision to last Thursday saying he wished to consider his decision.

Giving his determination he stated that it had been a bad accident with the defendant on the incorrect side of the roadway.

Mr McGovern pleaded with the Judge that the defendant needed his licence for work and was employed full-time as a plumber.

He was now fully recovered from the accident sustained on holiday.

He again stressed the defendant didn’t have any previous convictions or penalty points.

Inspector Donal Sweeney said the only aggravating factor was that the defendant did not remain at the scene.

Judge Kilrane adjourned the case briefly to allow the defendant come up with €1,200 for payment of fines.

He then fined the defendant €600 on each summons.