Laois motorist will take judge’s advice and get a solicitor
Portlaoise District Court
A MAN who could be facing a two-year driving ban said he would accept Judge Andrew Cody’s advice and get a solicitor to represent him at the next hearing of his case.
Fergus Ratigan (74) from Prague Villa, New Road, Portlaoise was before last week’s sitting of the local District Court to answer to a summons of driving while holding a mobile phone and to driving without insurance at Clonminam, Abbeyleix Road on 18 April.
Giving evidence, Garda Michael Kenneally said he was on duty that day and saw a driver of a silver-coloured Ford Transit van holding a mobile phone. He said it was very wet, and the road was busy that day.
He said Mr Ratigan admitted holding the phone and said he would provide his insurance at Portlaoise Garda Station.
The garda said he issued the defendant with a fixed charged penalty notice for holding the phone while driving, which was not paid.
Representing himself in the case Mr Ratigan said: “I did look down at the phone. There was nothing coming. I picked up the phone when it rang. The insurance was in force, but it had expired.” Gda Kenneally said the defendant had four previous convictions.
“Mr Ratigan,” said Judge Cody, “you are facing two years off the road. I’ll adjourn the case to 27 November for finalisation. Can I suggest you can get legal advice in the meantime.” As he was leaving the court, Mr Ratigan said to Judge Cody: “Thank you judge. I’ll take that advice.”
