Laois Judge describes uninsured driving as ‘antisocial’ behaviour
Judge Susan Fay was speaking at Portlaoise District Court
A student who took a foolish risk and didn’t renew his insurance was told his behaviour was “antisocial” as society foots the bill if there’s an accident.
Bradley Murphy (21) 164 Whitefields, Station Road, Portarlington admitted having no insurance at Kilbride on January 28 last.
A sitting of Portlaoise District Court was told the man was stopped driving an 11D registered VW Golf which had no insurance and two bald front tyres. The defendant, who had no previous convictions, told Garda Ross Foy that he had missed a payment on his insurance.
Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client works two days a week at his sister’s coffee dock in Dublin.
Mr Fitzgerald said his client had missed a direct debit payment on his insurance and “was aware that there was a lapse” but he said he had been foolish and naive.
Judge Susan Fay noted the young man was in college and was seeking to better himself but she warned against driving without insurance. “If he had an accident, we all pay,” she said.
“It is antisocial behaviour. It is a crime against society because we all pay the consequences,” said Judge Fay.
She fined the man €350 and gave him six months to pay but didn’t impose a disqualification.