Man who put insurance 'on the long finger' convicted at Longford court
A man who put securing adequate car insurance “on the long finger” has been convicted and fined, a recent court sitting heard.
Mateusz Przygonski, 6 Woodvale Drive, Athlone, Co Westmeath, pleaded guilty at a sitting of Longford District Court last week to driving without insurance on January 11 this year at Athlone Road, Creevaghbeg, Ballymahon, Co Longford.
The accused was also charged with failing to produce a driving licence at the same address contrary to Section 40 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
In defence, solicitor Frank Gearty said his client was someone who had a previously unblemished record and had since corrected his error in not having the required insurance in place at the time.
“He comes to court with no previous convictions,” he said, saying Mr Przygonski had put the matter of insurance “on the long finger”.
Mr Gearty added: “He has rectified the situation and very regretfully he was not insured at the time.”
The long serving local solicitor also told of how Mr Przygonski was doing his best to earn a decent living in an attempt to better his own life.
“He is working in Ireland for 15 years and is in a meat factory and contributing in a very meaningful way to society,” added Mr Gearty as he continued Mr Przygonski's mitigation to the court.
In delivering her verdict, presiding Judge Bernadette Owens handed Mr Przygonski a €350 fine for the no insurance charge.
She also issued a €200 fine for a Section 38 charge of having no driving licence.
Mr Przygonski was given four months to pay both fines.
A Section 69 charge of failing to produce valid insurance within ten days was taken into consideration.