Ban for man with no licence who 'took chance' and drove to Offaly

A TWO-year road ban was imposed on a man who decided to drive even though he was disqualified because of the amount of penalty points he had accumulated.

Garda Kieran Fitzpatrick gave evidence at Tullamore District Court in the case of Michael Rattigan (49), Beechwood Royal Oaks, Enfield, Co Meath, who admitted having no insurance at Kilbeggan Road, Kilcoursey on November 11 last year.

Garda Fitzpatrick said Mr Rattigan had 24 previous convictions but they were mainly for public order, drugs and theft offences.

He added that the accused had been fined previously for NCT and road tax offences.

The solicitor who appeared for the defendant, Donal Farrelly, said Mr Rattigan had no driving licence when stopped last year because he had exceeded the permitted number of penalty points.

He was visiting a son in Tullamore and took the chance to drive there. A separated man, he also had two other children, and was unemployed.

Judge Andrew Cody said because of his penalty points Mr Rattigan knew he was disqualified from driving when he was stopped. Along with the two-year driving ban, he imposed a fine of €200.