Buncrana teenager who drove car without insurance ‘chanced it’ – court told

A Buncrana teenager who ‘took a chance’ and drove his car without insurance earlier this year has been spared a disqualification in court.

Jack Duffy, of Lisfannon, Buncrana, pleaded guilty to a charge of having no insurance when he appeared before Carndonagh District Court, which still sits at Buncrana Courthouse.

Sergeant Conor Mulkerns summarised the evidence against the 18-year-old school leaver.

He outlined how Gardai were conducting a checkpoint at Main Street, Muff, during the early hours of Saturday, June 28, 2025.

At quarter past midnight on that date, a UK-registered black Honda Civic approached and gardai spoke with the driver, Mr Duffy, who admitted having no insurance on the vehicle.

A lawful demand was made for him to produce a certificate of insurance or exemption to a Garda Station within ten days, and he did not produce the required documents.

Sgt Mulkerns told Judge Emile Daly that the young Buncrana man has no previous convictions.

Defending the case, solicitor Frank Dorrian said his client ‘chanced it’ after just buying the car several hours earlier.

“He had purchased the vehicle that night and chanced it; he bought it for a very low sum from a friend.”

“He drove into the checkpoint and behaved very respectfully and was cooperative thereafter.”

“He’s a young man, 18 years of age, and he took a chance on the night. It’s the type of thing that young people sometimes do. There’s no complaint about the manner of his driving.”

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Mr Dorrian told the judge that Mr Duffy, who works as a part-time farmer, has never been in trouble with the law before.

“This was his first car, first offence, first engagement with the guards, and first time in court.”

“He works part-time in farming. He’s just after leaving school, and he works on his father’s farm.”

Mr Dorrian then asked the judge to apply her discretion in relation to any disqualification that could be imposed.

“A conviction brings an iceberg in terms of trying to get himself insured at this stage, but that’s self-inflicted; there’s nothing he can do about that,” the solicitor added.

In light of what was said and in light of the first offence, Judge Daly agreed not to impose a driving ban.

She convicted Mr Duffy of driving without insurance, fining him €200, with six months to pay.

Legal Aid was granted to Mr Dorrian in the matter.