'Foolish thing to do' - Disqualified motorist caught in Longford handed lengthy road ban

A motorist who was caught by Gardaí driving while disqualified and with no insurance or licence in county Longford, has been convicted and received a four year road ban.

Aivars Lielgalvis (51) of Woodlands Avenue, Mullingar pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to driving without insurance at Corlea, Kenagh on January 28 last.

Garda Aidan Lenehan said he stopped and spoke to the defendant driving a Renault Trafic van and he asked him to produce his drivers licence, however, he replied he did not have it.

A check on the Garda mobility device however confirmed Mr Lielgalvis was in fact a disqualified driver.

Solicitor Diarmuid Quinn, defending, said it was a 'foolish' thing to do and his client regretted his actions.
"It is not lost on him the seriousness of the matter."

Mr Quinn said one of Mr Lielgalvis's close family members 'suffers from a number of ailments' and he had decided to drive for medical reasons.

The court heard the defendant, a native of Latvia, has been living in Ireland for 17 years and the legal representative addressed Judge Bernadette Owens.

"I would ask you to be as lenient as possible."

Judge Owens considered that Mr Lielgalvis had been driving while disqualified and she imposed the four year disqualification and a €750 fine with five months to pay.

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