Kildare delivery driver avoids ban
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A DELIVERY driver who was stopped driving by gardaí in Portarlington and found not to have been insured, escaped a disqualification when the Judge at Portlaoise District Court was told he insured his vehicle the day after he was stopped.
Manuel Muhai from 15 Strand House Road, Newbridge pleaded guilty to having no insurance when stopped by gardaí along Ffrench Church Street, Portarlington on 5 September.
His solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said that his 19-year old client, who earns €300 a week as a delivery driver, had lodged money into his bank account to pay for his insurance, but had not realised the money had been returned.
Mr Fitzgerald said that 24-hours after gardaí had stopped him his vehicle was insured and asked that he be spared from receiving driving disqualification.
Gardaí confirmed to Judge John Brennan that was the case, that the vehicle was insured a day later.
“This young man deserves a chance,” said the Judge, “but he won’t get one again. He didn’t tell the gardaí at the time that he had lodged money into his account to pay for his insurance.” He went on to convict Mr Muhai of the offence and fined him €500.
