A Latvian national who brought a rare giggle to the courtroom when he told the judge he was “from Moate”, was nonetheless banned from driving for a further three years and fined €1,000 after being convicted in Athlone District Court this week (July 13 ) of driving without insurance or a licence.
Before the court was Roman Hemlevskis (34 ), of Station Road, Moate who had been stopped by gardaí whilst driving In March near his home without the requisite documentation. When he failed to produce his papers within the allotted 10 days he was charged with driving without insurance.
Subsequently, it was discovered Helmevskis had been similarly convicted in July 2009, and was apprehended whilst still under the three-year ban handed down for this conviction.
Judge Seamus Hughes asked Hemlevskis, who defended himself, why he was driving without a licence whilst banned.
“Eh, no car, no job. No job no money,” said the heavily accented defendant.
As the judge had to simplify his discussion with the defendant on a number of occasions, he enquired as to where he was from.
“From Moate,” said Hemlevkis, to some amusement.
“I didn’t know people from Moate spoke with such a strong accent?” said the judge, before Hemlevkis told him he had been in the country for seven years, and was now out off work. He also said he was married with two children, and originally from Latvia.
The judge sentenced Hemlevskis to three months in jail for driving without a licence, and suspended it for three years. He then banned him for three years for driving whilst uninsured, and fined him €1,000 for having no insurance.
He warned the defendant that he would go to jail if he was he was caught driving at anytime over the next three years.
