A FORMER qualified driving instructor has to re-sit his driving test, Tuam District Court heard in an unusual case which came before Judge James Faughnan.
The Court heard how Pat Brady, Cloonascragh, Tuam was stopped by Gardaí while driving on the Galway road on February 2 last. It was discovered he was driving without insurance and his vehicle was seized.
Defending solicitor Eric Gleeson told the Judge that there were an unusual set of circumstances surrounding this case.
His client was a former driving instructor who went to the USA in 1999 and worked there for many years. He had returned home relatively recently and was still driving on his American licence.
Unfortunately the defence pleaded, he had been admitted to hospital to have a triple bypass and while he was there his insurance had lapsed.
While recuperating he was relying on others to collect his medication from his pharmacy but on the date in question he was let down so he decide to take a risk and drive into town and collect it himself. He lives just two miles out of town and took a chance.
He is now sitting his theory test and in the unusual situation as a former qualified driving instructor of having to go back and sit his driving test again to get a valid Irish licence.
Judge Faughnan said that under the circumstances he would not impose the usual driving ban, but imposed a conviction and a fine of €200.
