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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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A 39-year-old man was found to be driving without insurance after being involved in a collision whereby he was rear-ended and thrown from this tractor.
Martin McHugh of Ballymacahill, Frosses was before Donegal District Court on Monday, November 25. He admitted driving without insurance at Drumbeagh, Mountcharles on December 20, 2023.
He was convicted and fined €350 but on hearing evidence of the incident, and of the defendant’s impeccable record to date, Judge Sandra Murphy declined to disqualify him from holding a licence.
Sergeant Oliver Devaney told the court that McHugh had been driving his Massey Ferguson tractor when the collision occurred. “The tractor was damaged, he was thrown from the vehicle and injured,” said the sergeant.
Garda Louis Browne met the defendant at a later date. Mc Hugh admitted not being insured on the tractor.
The court heard that the defendant had no previous convictions.
Solicitor Frank Murphy said: “Unfortunately, he was involved in a collision that was not his fault. He was rear-ended by another vehicle.
“He was driving a short distance from where he purchased the tractor from a friend to his home.
”The solicitor said his client had subsequently insured the vehicle. He asked Judge Murphy to consider using her discretion to not impose a disqualification for a first offence of driving without insurance, given that his client required his licence for his job.
“He drives a lorry over and back to England and as far as Poland,” said Mr Murphy.
The judge said: “No vehicle should be on the road without insurance. However, I am noting the circumstances and that he has no previous convictions.
“He made a foolish decision on the day.”
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