A man who was summonsed to court for not having tax, insurance or a driving licence, nor having front or rear licence plates was convicted and fined a total of €700 at Ballinrobe District Court on Tuesday.
Garda Eddie Connaughton told the court that on June 14 at 17.14 pm on Main Street, Shrule, Joe Donnellan, Ballyhenry, Shrule was stopped by the Garda and asked for his driving licence, insurance and tax.
The defendant failed to produce the three driving documents to Gda Connaughton but has since produced an insurance certificate. However, Donnellan’s driving licence was never renewed.
Donnellan, who represented himself, said that he now has number plates on the front and rear of his vehicle and that his tractor is now taxed. The defendant said that he depends on the tractor for his farming work and does not own a car. Donnellan has no previous road traffic convictions.
The defendant contested the fact that he didn’t have his insurance disc displayed, but Judge Mary Devins said that she believed the evidence of the Garda and convicted and fined the defendant €150 for this non- display. For having no driving licence the judge convicted and fined him €150 along with €100 for failure to produce his licence. As for not having number plates displayed, Donnellan was convicted and fined €150 for the front plate, while the rear plate was taken into consideration. For the non-display of tax the defendant was convicted and fined €150.
