Kildare driver receives prison sentence for no insurance charge
Photo for illustrative purposes
A Co Kildare man was jailed for six months with the final three suspended when he was convicted of motoring offences at last week’s sitting of Portlaoise District Court.
Brian Fassnidge from Fenview Heights, Newbridge, Kildare pleaded guilty to driving while uninsured and without a driving license and with providing a false name to gardaí when he was stopped driving along the Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise on 6 July.
Garda Sergeant Jason Hughes told the court that gardaí stopped a motorist who they noticed was driving while using his mobile phone. Speaking with the driver he told them he had no driving licence or insurance and gave his name as Brian Rutledge.
Later gardaí found that the driver Brian Fassnidge was driving while disqualified and that he had 14 previous convictions.
Defending solicitor Philip Meagher said that his 46-year-old client was self-employed and works in the motor trade.
He said Mr Fassnidge was driving a trade car at the time and was traveling with his partner from Newbridge to Portlaoise to pick up a pet for his child’s birthday.
He said Mr Fassnidge’s partner had initially been driving but that his client took over as she was “fussed because she couldn’t find her way driving around Portlaoise.” Judge Andrew Cody noted: “He’s got 14 previous convictions. Four for drink driving and two for no insurance.” He went on to convict Mr Fassnidge of driving while uninsured, sentenced him to six months in prison with the final three suspended for two years and imposed a seven-year disqualification. He was also fined €750 for providing a false name to gardaí and took the other matter of driving without a driving license into consideration.
