Ten years off road for Offaly motorist caught without insurance for fifth time

A ten-year driving ban was imposed on a man after he was convicted of having no motor insurance for a fifth time.

Judge Andrew Cody also sentenced Jakub Kondrat (29), Woodlawn Drive, Clonbullogue to six months in prison but suspended the sentence for three years.

Judge Cody further fined Mr Kondrat a total of €3,000, comprising a fine of €2,500 for driving without insurance and €500 for having no driving licence.

Sergeant Richard Thornton told Tullamore District Court the man had been detected driving while disqualified at Francis Street, Edenderry on September 4 last.

He had four previous convictions for driving without insurance, had three separate road bans, two for four years and another for two years and had also been convicted of being an unaccompanied learner driver.

A plea of guilty was entered by defending solicitor Patrick Martin who said Mr Kondrat, a Polish man, was a father of one who worked full-time in a sweet factory in Edenderry.

He had driven a short distance to get medication for his parents, said Mr Martin, adding that he earned €500 a week and had to pay rent for his parents.

The solicitor said he usually used a low powered electric bike to get around.