Nenagh court told misunderstandings around car insurance an issue for Georgian nationals

Issues of no car insurance amongst Georgian nationals were raised at a sitting of Nenagh District Court. 

Solicitor Elizabeth McKeever, while representing a client, said this is a common misconception among Georgian nationals, that they do not require insurance to drive.

This, she said it is “causing gardaí some difficulties”.

Zvladi Chagoshuili (41) of St Anne’s Direct Provision Centre, Corville House, Sean Ross Abbey, Roscrea, was charged with dangerous driving and driving with no insurance on December 22, 2023, at Short Corville, Roscrea. 

The garda at the scene told the court that on the day of the incident, he was on patrol heading toward St Anne’s Direct Provision Centre when he came upon the defendant driving on the wrong side of the road.

The guard said he had to manoeuvre away from the oncoming car to avoid a collision.

When he came to a stop, and approached the car which had two other people inside. 

He made a demand of the driver for his licence, and there was no documentation on the windscreen. 

Ms McKeever told the court that her client has been in the country for two years and is seeking asylum. 

She said in Georgia, cars are not required to be insured, and her client was unaware of the requirement in Ireland. 

Ms McKeever said that at the Direct Provision Centre, cars are sometimes shared among multiple people and acknowledged this was “causing issues for gardaí,” 

She said her client was working part-time, and his income was very low.

EXTREMELY CONCERNING

Judge Fiona Brennan said the insurance was one thing, she would not comment on, but the dangerous driving was “extremely concerning.”

Ms McKeever said her client accepted he was going too fast and that it was down to the “evasive action” of the guard that there wasn’t an accident.

Judge Brennan said that if this were to happen again, Mr Chagoshuili could face a prison sentence. 

“If this man had come across a less experienced guard, this could have been a very serious accident.

He needs to understand that he cannot drive until he has a proper licence, insurance and a suitable car. 

On the charge of dangerous driving, the defendant was banned from driving for two years and fined €100.

He was given a second two-year disqualification for driving without insurance and fined a further €100.