A Latvian man who has amassed more than 30 convictions in the eight years he has lived in Ireland for various driving, theft, and public order offences took the opportunity to leave the State rather than go to prison when offered the choice by Judge Mary Devins at Ballyhaunis District Court this week.
Kaspars Purins with addresses at both Barrack Street, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, and 81 Cronnose Grove, Wexford, Co Wexford, was in court to face a number of motoring offences. In her evidence to the court Garda Nicola Dolan told the court that on March 21, 2008 she saw Purins driving a car on Main Street, Ballyhaunis, at 4.20pm. She was aware that he was currently banned from driving but was unable to stop him at that time.
She then saw him driving a car on March 23 at Clare Street, Ballyhaunis, this time she was able to stop him and arrest him. Purins pleaded guilty to 12 different charges arising out of the incident. For driving while disqualified Judge Mary Devins convicted and fined him €1000, disqualified him from driving for 10 years and sentenced him to six months in prison. For the offence on March 23 Judge Devins imposed the same sentence, but she stayed the activation of the sentences on the basis that Purins leaves the jurisdiction within the next 48 hours and she be provided with documentary evidence of his leaving the jurisdiction by the close of business in Ballina Children’s Court which is sitting today (Friday, February 6 ).
