Killybegs motorist avoids driving ban after no insurance detection

A Killybegs man has avoided a disqualification after being caught driving without insurance.

At Donegal District Court, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham spared Mark Diver from a driving ban.

The 29-year-old, of Church Road, Killybegs, was before the court charged with driving without insurance on the N56, Revlin, Donegal.

The charge is contrary to section 56 (1) and (3) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 as amended by section 18 of the Road Traffic Act, 2006.

Judge Cunningham previously found the facts proven in the case.

Diver’s solicitor, Ms Sinead Whelan, said this was a “very unfortunate situation”.

Ms Whelan said that Diver recently returned from abroad and was “very apologetic”.

She said that Diver was “very regretful” of the action he took. Ms Whelan outlined that someone close to Diver had an issue with a vehicle that broke down and said her client was “going to help someone in distress”.

Ms Whelan told the court that insurance was in place on the vehicle within 24 hours. She said Diver relies on his car for work and a letter from his employer was handed in to the court.

Diver also relies on his car for family reasons, the court was informed.

Inspector Tony Byrne said that Diver has previous convictions for disorderly conduct and road traffic offences, but this was his first time before the court on a charge of having no insurance.

Diver was convicted and fined €250 and given five months to pay. Judge Cunningham said she was not imposing a disqualification on this occasion.