Uninsured driver in Longford who had out of date Hungarian licence fined €700

An uninsured motorist who was stopped in Longford and caught by Gardaí with a Hungarian license that was eight years out of date has been convicted and fined.

Szabina Kotai of Bellevue Court, Old Youghal Road, Cork pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to driving without any insurance cover and a driving license at Brackin Road, Edgeworthstown on October 8, 2023.

Sgt Enda Daly, court presenter, said Garda Denise Dockery stopped the defendant who was driving a car and had several friends in the vehicle with her.

Also Read: Longford's See Her Elected receives over €170,000

The officer asked Kotai to produce valid car insurance and an NCT cert at a Garda station of her choice within 10 days but she failed to do so.

The defendant had no previous convictions.

Solicitor Frank Gearty defending, said his client had agreed to drive a friend to visit her sick mother in county Longford as a favor.

Also Read: Body found at home of Dean Caffery inside suitcase wrapped in plastic, bubble wrap and spar bag, court told

"She made the decision to drive her friend. She is a single mother of four young children and she cares for them and is a person of good standing," he added.

Mr Gearty said the defendant had taken responsibility for her actions and she travelled by bus from Cork with her niece for the court hearing.

Judge Bernadette Owens decided to convict and fine the defendant €450 with nine months to pay for the no insurance offence and €250 with 11-months to pay for the NCT offence.