Two-month sentence imposed for no insurance

A 39-year-old Roscommon man has been sentenced to two months’ imprisonment after appearing before Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on charges including driving without insurance and possession of drugs.

Owen Maughan, of Ballindrimley, Castlerea, Co Roscommon, appeared before the court in connection with the offences. He was represented by solicitor Aoife Kelly.

The court heard evidence from Garda O’Connor, who told the judge that Mr Maughan was stopped at a Garda checkpoint in Longford, where it was established that the vehicle was being driven without insurance.

The court was told that Mr Maughan had a number of previous convictions, including for theft and no insurance. Judge Éiteáin Cunningham outlined a number of those convictions in court, which she said she considered relevant, including a previous €400 fine and a two-year driving disqualification for no insurance, as well as theft-related offences.

In mitigation, Ms Kelly said her client believed he was covered to drive the vehicle at the time and asked the court to take his family circumstances into account, telling the judge that Mr Maughan is the father of four children.

After hearing the submissions, Judge Cunningham imposed a sentence of two months’ imprisonment. She also disqualified Mr Maughan from driving for four years, telling the court:

“I’m going to sentence him to two months and disqualify him for four years.”

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