A 21-year-old man who sold a car to a minor was convicted by Judge Conal Gibbons at Belmullet District Court this week.
Garda David Hanley told the court that following an investigation into dangerous driving in January this year they spoke with Kenneth Doherty, 31 Springfield, Bangor Erris who sold a car to a 16-year-old on December 28 2008.
Doherty made a statement to gardaí on February 4 this year where he admitted selling the black Ford Mondeo to the youth, however according to Michael Bohan, solicitor for Doherty, the defendant did not know the age of the minor, but assumed he was 17. Mr Bohan said that the minor was in fact a few weeks shy of 17 when the car was sold and that it was “an honest mistake” by Doherty.
The solicitor said that his client originally bought the car for €400 for use as scrap and was approached by the 16-year-old to see if he could purchase it. Doherty told the man that he would sell it for use as scrap and it was sold for €300.
Judge Conal Gibbons said that the onus is on the person who is selling the car to make the inquiry, and convicted and fined Doherty €200.
