A mix-up over insurance coverage led to a Tuam farmer paying double premiums, a Judge decided, when he appeared before him on a charge of driving without insurance.
Before Judge James Faughnan at Tuam District Court was Jason Kelly of Corohan, Tuam, on the charge.
Eric Gleeson solicitor (defending ) pleaded that his client worked as a farmer, and when he was stopped while driving a van which was insured on the farm policy it turned out he was not properly insured to be on the public road.
The van was seized by Gardaí and taken to the pound in Galway. The defence pleaded that the fastest way he could get it out of the pound was to ring his insurance company and get a policy for it in his own name.
Judge Faughnan pointed out that this meant the van was now insured for the farm and in Kelly’s name which was paying on the double.
Mr Gleeson said his client worked the farm with his father and brother. They milked 400 cows and he needed his licence for his work.
Judge Faughnan commented that the defendant needed to be up early in the morning for that work. He added: “I don’t think we’ll see this man in Court again,” and struck out the charge on condition Kelly made a donation of €300 to the Hand in Hand Children’s Cancer Charity.
This article is funded by Comisiún na Meán.
