A 38-year-old man who was detected driving — while he was disqualified — twice in a space of six months, and who already has 19 road traffic convictions, was before Castlebar District Court this week.
On Christmas Eve last year, Michael Maughan, who resides at the Halting Site, Moneen, Castlebar, was stopped by Garda Caoimhe Walsh. Garda Walsh demanded he produce his insurance and driving licence, however this was not done. It transpired that Maughan was disqualified from driving in 2008.
On June 18 at 4.35am, Maughan was again stopped driving by the same garda.
Inspector Martin Byrne said that the father of three had “total disregard for the law”.
Maughan gave an undertaking to the court that he would not drive again while disqualified.
Judge Devins remanded him on continuing bail to April 20 2011, giving the State liberty to re-enter. The judge said that a suspended sentence would be imposed if Maughan stayed out of trouble, otherwise a two year prison sentence would be imposed. “Do you understand that?” Judge Devins asked Maughan; “Clearly judge”, was the reply.
