Driving ban for insurance breach
The defendant pleaded guilty to the offence.
A man who previously was convicted with driving without insurance has received a ban after being caught committing the same offence again.
Liam McHale, of Emlybeg South, Binghamstown, pleaded guilty at Belmullet District Court to driving without insurance.
Giving evidence, Garda Hugh McHugh said he was operating a checkpoint in Bangor Erris at around 12 noon on March 21, 2025, when a van turned away and went back in the direction of Bellacorick.
Gardaí pursued this van and caught up with it. They spoke to the driver, Liam McHale, who was found to have no tax or insurance, and the vehicle was seized. McHale paid a fixed charge penalty for the tax issue but failed to produce evidence of insurance.
He has two previous convictions, one for driving without insurance.
Solicitor Dean Carney said his client turned away from the checkpoint because he had no tax but was adamant he had a valid insurance policy.
Judge Sandra Murphy said she believed McHale turned away from the checkpoint because he was well aware he had no valid insurance. Noting that McHale previously benefited from the court's leniency, the judge imposed a two-year driving ban and a fine of €250.
- Published as part of the Court Reporting Scheme.
