Apprentice carpenter had no insurance in Laois

An apprentice carpenter admitted driving without insurance in Laois. 

Alan Patrick Barton (22) of Barrahill, Rathdowney, was accused of not having insurance at Ossory Street, Rathdowney on October 27 last. 

Garda Ciaran O’Mahoney said the defendant was stopped driving a grey Audi A4 on the date in question. He said the man has no previous convictions. 

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client was pleading guilty to the offence. He said the man is an apprentice carpenter in his fourth year. “His level six will either take place in Tralee or Sligo,” he said. 

Mr Meagher said his client seemed to be a decent hard working young man. He also said he was “meeting the case head on”. 

Garda O’Mahoney said “he did explain to me that he was really struggling financially.” 

Judge Andrew Cody convicted the man and fined him €500. He didn’t impose a disqualification but warned the man that if he was caught again he would be disqualified for four years.