A lorry driver fined €7,000 in his absence two weeks ago, was given leave to appeal in the District Court this week (October 28 ) after he told the court he had been assured by his employer it had been dealt with.
Judge John Neilan accepted this but criticised the lack of diligence used by Coyle and his employers in executing their statutory duties.
“If people like Mr Coyle presented their documents like they should, it would free up an enormous amount of Garda time,” he said.
“Why should the taxpayers of this country have the Guards running round in circles?”
Stephen Coyle (34 ), of Creve, Monaghan was hit with the maxium available fines and a two year disqualification on October 14 for having no insurance, tax or roadworthiness certificate when stopped at Bogganfin on February 2 for not wearing a seatbelt.
In court this week, Coyle confirmed he was stopped on the day in question and that he had since received the statutory two points for not wearing his seatbelt but that his employer had told him he had been in touch with the Gardai in Athlone.
Coyle’s solicitor, Mr Owen Carty, told the court he had proof the required documents had been sent to Moate Garda Station.
“I asked my employer in the middle of September and he said he had [sorted the matter],” said Coyle in the witness box.
“I was watching Crimecall [on RTE 1] before I went to bed last night and I noticed burglaries were up by 26 per cent,” said the judge.
“The public would be a lot happier if the Gardai were working on this.”
He fixed Coyle’s recognisance at €100 and didn’t ask for an independent surety.
He granted Coyle leave to appeal the Circuit Court.
This will allow him continue to drive unless the higher court upholds the District Court judgement.
