Net loss: Fisherman banned for two years after insurance claim comes up empty

An Inishowen fisherman who “took a chance” has been banned for two years and fined €600 after being caught driving without insurance for a second time.

Caolan Arrow, of 42 Cherry Avenue, Tiernaleague, Carndonagh, admitted charges of no insurance and driving without a licence when he appeared before Carndonagh District Court, sitting in Buncrana Courthouse.

Prosecuting the case, Garda Sergeant Conor Mulkerns explained how the offence was uncovered on Sunday, August 31, 2025.

Gardai on patrol in the Upper Malin Head area on that date observed a 2008-registered black Seat Leon driving past.

Garda Magee subsequently checked the official Garda mobility device, which indicated that there was no insurance on the vehicle at the time.

She signalled for the car to stop, and spoke to the driver, who gave his name as Caolan Arrow, of the above address.

After caution, Mr Arrow admitted having no insurance for the vehicle, which was then seized.

Garda Magee made a lawful demand for the Carn man to produce his driving licence and certificate of insurance to a Garda Station of his choice within ten days.

He nominated Carndonagh Garda Station, but did not produce any documentation.

Sgt Mulkerns further told the court that Mr Arrow has two previous road traffic convictions, including one for driving without insurance dating back to 2022.

Defence solicitor Ciaran MacLochlainn told the court that his client “took a chance” on the day he was stopped.

“He had only bought the car a few days beforehand and was getting it serviced at the time.”

“He had to bring it to a local garage, and he asked his mother to come with him. He thought he might have been covered under his mother’s insurance policy, but unfortunately, he wasn’t.”

“He was on a learner's permit at the time, and he did the driving test two days later. He took a chance to take the car to the garage,” the solicitor reiterated.

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Mr MacLochlainn said Mr Arrow, who earns €500 per week as a fisherman, will be hampered by the mandatory loss of his licence on a second conviction for no insurance.

“He’s from Carndonagh, and he’s fishing out of Greencastle, and he’ll now have to get a bus or a taxi from Carndonagh to Greencastle,” he said.

Judge Emile Daly applied the minimum two-year disqualification period on the Section 56 charge of driving without insurance. She also imposed a conviction and a fine of €400.

The judge imposed an additional fine of €200 on the no licence charge, allowing Mr Arrow a period of four months to pay the €600 total.

Separate charges of failure to produce insurance and a licence were “taken into account”.