Longford judge commends young man on 'very eloquent' submission

A young man who was driving without documentation avoided a driving ban when he told Judge Bernadette Owens he could lose his job and have to emigrate if he had no car.

Luke McDonagh, who changed his address in court from 1 Cnoc Na Goithe, Lanesboro, Longford to Flat 1, Ryans Flats, Racecourse Road, Roscommon was charged with two road traffic offences.

Sergeant Enda Daly said the matter before the court stemmed from an incident on May 19, 2023 when the defendant was stopped at Lanesboro.

Mr McDonagh had no insurance and was an unaccompanied driver on a learners permit. The defendant, who represented himself, accepted he was driving without insurance on the date.

He told the court his parents had moved from Lanesboro and he was faced with the prospect of emigrating, but did not want to do so because he loved his girlfriend and he loved Ireland.

He said he works hard as a sales person and is a contributor to the local economy.

Judge Owens commended the young man on his “very eloquent” submission and said she would not impose a ban, but registered a conviction and imposed a fine of €400 giving Mr McDonagh four month to pay.