Laois man unaware that car insurance had expired
Portlaoise Courthouse
A MAN who said he was unaware that his motor insurance had expired was fined for driving without insurance when he appeared before last week’s sitting of Portlaoise District Court.
Evan Keller (20), Clanmalire Close, Portarlington pleaded guilty to the offence that took place on Crowe Lane, Portarlington on 26 April.
The court heard that at the time that he was stopped, there was no insurance, tax or NCT on the car. Fixed charge penalty notices were issued for the NCT and tax, which were paid.
Judge Andrew Cody was told that the defendant works as a second-year apprentice HGV mechanic and that his employer thinks very highly of him, so much so that she wrote a letter of reference to the court.
Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client had insurance but was unaware that it had lapsed.
Noting the next time that the defendant had taken out a new insurance policy, which was six months after he had been stopped driving by gardaí, Judge Andrew Cody wanted to know what was the delay in getting the new policy in place?
Ms Fitzpatrick said the reason was that he had been disqualified from driving because of the accumulation of penalty points.
Judge Cody convicted Mr Keller of the offence and fined him €500 with no disqualification.
