Buncrana mechanic who drove without insurance escapes ban on a first offence

A Buncrana mechanic who admitted that he drove without insurance has escaped a ban in court.

Patrick McClay, of Kinnego, Ballymagan, Buncrana, faced separate charges of driving without insurance and failure to produce insurance when he appeared before Buncrana District Court.

Solicitor Frank Dorrian indicated how Mr McClay wished to plead guilty to both matters.

Sergeant Conor Mulkerns presented the prosecution evidence against the 41-year-old in court.

On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 5.12pm, gardai were called to a report of a road traffic collision at Main Street, Buncrana.

Upon arrival at the scene, a 2005-registered vehicle, a Volkswagen Caddy van, was observed, and Mr McClay admitted to driving it.

The vehicle was subsequently seized for no tax and for suspected no insurance.

A lawful demand was made for Mr McClay to produce his insurance certificate to a Garda Station within ten days, but he failed to produce any such policy documents.

Sgt Mulkerns said the defendant had eleven previous convictions, but none for driving without insurance. His last conviction was a public order offence dating back to 2008.

Defending the no insurance case, Mr Dorrian said his client had “let things get on top of him” at the time.

“He’d been going through a difficult time personally, but he’s now back on track. He’s now insured, taxed, and tested, and he has no previous for no insurance.”

Mr Dorrian said Mr McClay, who’s married with two children, depends on his licence for work purposes.

“He makes his living as a mechanic, so his licence is central to his ongoing employment.”

The solicitor added: “He was very reasonable at the time and waited at the scene, and I’d ask you not to take his licence.”

Judge Emile Daly convicted and fined Mr McClay €450 for driving without insurance, contrary to Section 56, with four months to pay. She did not impose a disqualification, given that it was a first offence.

The judge took the other Section 69 charge, of failure to produce insurance, into account, while Mr Dorrian was granted Legal Aid in the matter.