Jail and eight-year ban for motorist caught with no insurance eleven times
‘I LOST count after nine,’ declared Judge John Cheatle as he struggled to keep track of the motor insurance charges facing 27-year-old Stephen Murphy of 5 Glasganny, Castlebridge.
When all the summons and charge sheets dealt with at Wexford District Court had been tidied up, the total came to eleven and Murphy was looking at the prospect of a year in jail.
The defendant’s father and two friends were at the courthouse in Belvedere Road as the judge, gardaí and barrister Jordan Fletcher dealt with the case.
The court learned that vehicles involved over the years from 2015 to 2019 included a Peugeot 307, a dumper truck, an Opel Vectra, a Seat Leon and a Mazda.
The defendant was brought in custody to court to hear a summary of evidence against him from Gardaí Niall Brophy and Declan Dennehy.
Garda Brophy told how he repeatedly came across Murphy driving despite the fact that he had been disqualified.
On one occasion, the accused man jumped into his car and sped off rather than talk to the officer.
Garda Dennehy recalled how, on another occasion, he was seen pulling a trailer.
When the garda went to the defendant’s home, Murphy ran into the house and would not answer the door.
Also admitted was a charge relating to possession of a batch of stolen cladding for which he paid €400 when it was worth at least twice that amount.
The cladding remained on his mother’s house, the court was told.
It was also stated that he had lost his job as a ground worker as a result of the court cases.
Stephen Murphy was given three consecutive prison sentences of four months each for driving without insurance.
Other, similar sentences were suspended and he was also banned from driving for eight years.
His solicitor indicated that the accused intended appealing the sentences to the Circuit Court.