Suspended sentence for having no insurance 

A man who was test driving a Range Rover for his daughter while uninsured has been given a suspended sentence. 

Patrick White,59, of Ferrans Lock, Coole, Meath was in court for not having insurance or a licence at Edenderry Road, Portarlington on January 21, 2023. 

Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was stopped at a checkpoint driving a silver Range Rover and it transpired that he had no licence or insurance. He said the man has 35 previous convictions.  

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client's last conviction was in 2015. He said the man was test driving a vehicle for his daughter on the date in question. 

“He had more of a knowledge of vehicles than his daughter had,” he explained. He said he was pleading guilty to the offence that only occurred days before the court hearing. 

“I would ask you to credit him for the manner in which he has met the case,” he said. 

Judge Andrew Cody said he had to take the number of previous convictions into account. He gave him a three month sentence suspended for three years, a five year driving ban and a €200 fine for having no insurance. He also imposed a €200 fine for having no licence.