Banned motorist found driving Transit van in Offaly given another ban and fined

A MAN who drove a Transit van in Clara despite being banned for a drink-driving offence in Killarney last year was disqualified for another four years.

Darren Moriarty (26), with an address at McAuley Drive, Birr, appeared before Tullamore District Court recently where he pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and a licence at Erry, Clara on July 2 last.

Sergeant Richard Thornton said the offence occurred on the R420 road at 2.40pm and the accused was driving a blue Transit.

In addition to the disqualification for drink-driving in Killarney last November, there were careless driving and insurance convictions, also in courts in Co Kerry.

Andrew Dunne, BL, defending, said the accused was a part-time worker who was using a work van at the time of the offence and he had thought the disqualification was from the date of the offence, not the date the disqualification was imposed.

Mr Dunne said Mr Moriarty accepted a driving ban would be imposed but he was asking the court not to impose a custodial sentence.

Judge Michael Connellan imposed a four-year ban and a fine of €750. He gave the man six months to pay the fine and warned that the court would take a different view if he offended again.