Mechanic jailed and disqualified for driving without insurance on busy Limerick road

A QUALIFIED mechanic who was caught driving without insurance on the outskirts of Limerick city has been sentenced to three months' imprisonment and disqualified from driving for five years.

At Limerick District Court, Sergeant Denis Waters said Martin O'Donovan was speeding when gardai encountered him at Clondrinagh, Limerick on July 12, 2024.

The 50-year-old, who has an address at Gort An Choirce, Gort, County Galway did not have a driving licence and was driving a 150-year-old Ford Transit van at 87km/h in a 60km/h zone.

Judge Carol Anne Coolican was told Mr O'Donovan has 30 previous convictions under the Road Traffic Act, including six for driving without insurance, four for driving without a licence and one for driving while holding a mobile phone.

Solicitor Darach McCarthy said his client, who is the father of a teenage child, is "very sorry" for his offending which happened around the same time that he lost his family home.

"Everything fell asunder around him," he said, adding his client made a foolish decision for the right reasons. "His intentions were good," he said, telling the court that Mr O'Donovan has not driven for over a year.

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The solicitor added that his client's personal situation has improved in recent times and that he is now living in stable accommodation in County Galway.

Having noted the facts of the case and Mr McCarthy's submissions, Judge Coolican said Mr O'Donovan's previous convictions were an aggravating factor in the case and that she had no option but to impose a prison sentence.

A €300 fine was imposed in addition to the prison sentence and the disqualification.

Recognisance were set in the event of an appeal being lodged.