Judge John Neilan has refused to restore the driver’s licence of a Mullingar man who is disqualified for five years.
Solicitor John Quinn accepted that his client, John Joe Nevin was making his application too soon, only one year into the five year driving disqualification, but said the penalty had been given at the judge’s discretion.
Mr Nevin, who has an address at St Michael’s Park, Mullingar explained at a recent sitting of Mullingar District Court, how he had learned his lesson and needed to be able to drive his daughter to hospital for appointments.
The two-year-old had been born prematurely and had required heart surgery followed by regular check-ups in Dublin.
“I’ve learned my lesson. I’ve been in jail and I don’t want to go back,” he said, saying he was committed to his wife and two daughters.
The 12 month jail sentence had opened his eyes, he said.“I was young and wild.”
He said his father had looked into quotations to have him named as a driver on his policy.
Under cross examination by Inspector Jarlath Folan, he admitted that he was one of the men given a suspended sentence of one year last month for his part in the Dalton Park riot.
When Mr Nevin accepted the judge’s suggestion that the HSE provides transport for people for special appointments, the judge refused his application.
