Detection for expired tax leads to driving ban

A detection for his road tax being out of date for 21 months resulted in a Carrigart man being put off the road for two years.

On October 18, 2020, at 3.25pm, Gardai stopped a Volkswagen Golf at Illistrin.

Gavin Byrne, from Mulroy Estate in Carrigart, was driving the vehicle. The tax on the car was out since January, 2019, Letterkenny District Court heard.

Gardai made a lawful demand for the production of insurance or proof of an exemption. Byrne informed Gardai that he would do so, but no documents were produced, the court heard.

A fixed charge penalty notice regarding the tax was issued, but was not paid.

Byrne, a 45-year-old, was not present or legally represented when the case was mentioned before Judge Deirdre Gearty on Monday.

The court was told that Byrne has one previous conviction, dating back to 2008.

Judge Gearty said she was satisfied that Byrne was notified correctly about his court date. Judge Gearty also said she was satisfied that Byrne was driving without insurance, had no tax and did not produce insurance. Byrne was convicted on each offence and fined a total of €800.

Byrne was fined €500 and disqualified for two years for driving without insurance. The charge of not producing insurance was taken into account.

For having no tax, Byrne was fined €300 and given three months to pay.