Abandoned Audi A4 at Dunree Fort leads gardai to discover that driver wasn’t insured

The discovery of an abandoned car off the road at Dunree Fort last summer led gardai to find out how the driver didn’t have insurance or a licence.

Cahir Duddy, of 8 North Meadows, Foyle Springs, Derry, was banned for two years for driving without insurance and a licence when his case came before Buncrana District Court.

The 22-year-old did not show up in court to answer the charges against him, but Judge Deirdre Gearty ruled that the case could go ahead as scheduled, after being shown proof that the defendant had been properly served.

Garda Ellen Ruddy testified in the case, telling the court how the guards had received a report of an abandoned vehicle at Dunree Fort, Linsfort, Buncrana on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

On arrival at the scene, gardai observed a Northern-registered red Audi A4 that was off the road, lying in a grass verge.

There was no one at the vehicle at the time, and gardai made further enquiries to try to make contact with the owner.

A number of hours later, they returned to Dunree Fort and observed two males attempting to pull the vehicle out of the grass verge.

“I spoke to Cahir Duddy and he admitted, following caution, that he had been driving the vehicle the previous night,” Garda Ruddy said in her evidence.

“He said the handbrake had failed and the car slid off the road into the grass verge.”

Garda Ruddy made a lawful demand for Mr Duddy to produce proof of insurance and his driving licence to a Garda Station of his choice within ten days. He nominated Buncrana Garda Station but failed to produce the required documentation and summonses were issued.

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Mr Duddy has no previous convictions.

After hearing the evidence, Judge Gearty said: “He is not here and there’s no attendance on his behalf. I am satisfied that service was good; he was served by registered post at the address that he gave.”

“I have heard the evidence from Garda Ruddy and I am satisfied that he made admissions to driving on the date in question.”

The judge convicted and fined the defendant a total of €600, including €350 for driving without insurance and €250 for having no licence.

She also disqualified Mr Duddy from driving for a period of two years.

He has been given a five-month deadline to pay the €600 total in fines, while the judge fixed recognisance in the event of an appeal at €100 cash.