A Mullingar man managed to save €900 in fines when the judge in Tullamore re-heard his case, despite the court having finished for the day.
James Connolly of 3 The Green, Market Point, Mullingar wasn’t present when his case was first called and he was convicted in his absence of having no L plates, no silencer, and no qualified driver with him and using a rear licence plate that didn’t conform to standard.
On hearing the evidence of Sgt John Considine, Judge Gerard Haughton fined the 23-year-old €300 for each of the offences.
However, when he arrived late, and the judge returned to the bench, the charge of having no qualified driver was struck out when the unemployed plasterer said he’d had a qualified driver with him but the driver didn’t have a licence when they were stopped.
Fines in the other three offences were reduced to €100 each.
Another Westmeath man, who wasn’t present when his case was called, has had a disqualification order removed and the case adjourned to February.
Dario Cashera of Cloonagh, Ballingore had been convicted in his absence of having no insurance and was fined €2,000 and disqualified for two years.
He had also been fined €300 each for a further five offences, including having front and rear licence plates that did not conform, having no L plates, and not having a silencer fitted when he was stopped by Sgt Considine at Toorlisnamore, Kilbeggan on May 21 last year.
The case will be heard again next month
