Athy man gets three-year driving ban
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A MAN convicted for a fifth time of driving without insurance was banned from driving for three years, but had nothing added to his currently served sentence.
Joseph Carthy (33) of Ardrew Halting site, Fort Barrington Road, Athy was in the local District Court this week (26 May) to plead guilty to the latest 14 misdemeanours.
These were racked up on 8 September and 16 September last year at Aughanure, Ballylinan, and Woodstock South respectively.
On each of the occasions he had no licence, no NCT or no insurance, nor was he able to produce any of these, and he failed to display a tax disc.
“His driving licence had expired, that’s why he had no insurance,” said defending solicitor Jackie McManus.
She then revealed he is presently serving a sentence from which he will be released in December.
This had been handed down on a fortnight before by the very same judge for the theft €500 worth of steel from the Bord na Mona facility in Kilberry.
The court was told how Mr Carthy had 31 previous convictions, all of the road traffic related, and two were for no insurance, with him having been disqualified at Carlow District Court in April.
“He has seven young children,” said Ms McManus.
At his last appearance on 14 May she also noted: “at the time of the offences he would have had severe mental health issues,” she added.
“Those seven kids miss him dreadfully, because he used to bring them to school”.
“What’s the longest ban he’s received?” asked the judge.
“One year,” said the sergeant.
The judge then banned him from driving for three years for the 8 September, offence, and a similar amount for the offence on 16 September, however he ordered the bans run concurrently.
