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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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A Glenties man has been given a suspended prison sentence and put off the road for five years after being caught driving without insurance.
Christopher Doherty was before Wednesday’s sitting of Glenties District Court.
The defendant appeared in connection with an incident at Gortnamucklagh on November 29, 2021. On 2.26pm, Garda Gavigan was on patrol on Station Road, Glenties when he noticed a VW Passat being driven by Doherty, Inspector Rosaleen Logue told the court.
Garda Gavigan noticed that there was no insurance on the vehicle. Garda Gavigan was unable to locate Doherty at the time.
On January 18, 2022, Garda Gavigan went to Doherty’s home at The Rock, Glenties, and made a lawful demand that he produce his insurance and driving licence. Doherty failed to do so.
The court heard that Doherty has ‘a number’ of previous convictions for road traffic offences. Doherty has previously been disqualified from driving on two occasions.
Doherty’s solicitor, Mr Rory O’Brien, said his client was handed a suspended sentence in court in January 2022, but this incident precedes that matter.
“He has fully complied and has had no other allegations of that nature pending,” Mr O’Brien said. “He has had difficulties. I have known him since he was 18 and he has put his life together. Alcohol has been a factor and flowing from that is a disregard for how he has conducted himself.”
Mr O’Brien said there was no ‘chase’ in respect of this incident. He said his client was attempting to ‘put his best foot forward’ and now has a supportive partner.
“He is picking himself up and he deserves a chance,” Mr O’Brien said.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham pointed out that Doherty was now ‘very much at risk’ and Mr O’Brien said he ‘is trying his best’.
Mr O’Brien said: “We had a full and frank conversation in December and he will reach out and get all the help. Hes is moderating his behaviour. He does have a lot of work to do, but he is not living in denial.”
For driving without insurance, Judge Cunningham convicted Doherty and sentenced him to five months in prison. The entirety of the sentence was suspended for 18 months on condition that Doherty enter into a Section 99 bond.
Doherty was also disqualified from driving for a period of five years.
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