Defendant ‘got the fright of his life’-Longford Gardaí arrest disqualified driver at wheel of car on consecutive days
A young Bulgarian man caught driving on two consecutive days by Gardaí, despite having a driving ban, was fined €350 and banned from the road for six years at Longford District Court.
The charges against Dani Demirev (24) of Apartment 2, Lough Gowna, Cavan were that on December 28 and 29, 2022 he drove at Main Street, Granard without a drivers licence or insurance.
Inspector Paddy McGirl told the court the defendant first came to Garda attention on December 28 at 11:37 am when an officer on patrol stopped a car driven by the defendant.
A subsequent check by the officer showed the defendant was disqualified. The following day Garda again encountered Mr Demirev and when he failed to produce documentation he was arrested and charged. Inspector McGirl said the defendant has three previous convictions.
Solicitor Frank Gerarty explained that his client works in the mushroom industry in the North Longford area. He said although disqualified for two years at a previous court sitting Mr Demirev did not understand the significance of court order.
Mr Gearty said the defendant's child was taken ill and so he borrowed his father's car to bring the child to the doctor. The solicitor described Mr Demirev as having “poor financial circumstances”.
Mr Gearty said his client “got the fright of his life” and knows the court has no option but to impose at least a four year disqualification.
Judge Bernadette Owens said: “It could be something else.”
Mr Gearty accepted this saying: “He knows that judge, there was an element of naivety on his part. He knows he will go to prison if he finds himself in this situation again.”
The legal representative said Mr Demirev has lived in Ireland for the last two years and is a “part of the community in Gowna”.
He explained the defendant's father has insurance for the car, which was seized by the Gardaí on the day.
Noting facts of the case Judge Ovens said he had to give some allowance for the language barrier. She imposed a fine of €350 and banned the defendant from driving for six years for the no insurance charge and took the no driving licence charge into consideration.