Burnfoot man banned from driving for two years after second no insurance conviction
Defence solicitor said case involved a “very strange set of facts”, and it was his client who had initially contacted gardaí
A Burnfoot man who drove without a licence or insurance has been disqualified from driving for two years and fined €400 after appearing before Buncrana District Court.
Kieran Daly, of 11 The Cottages, Burnfoot, admitted the road traffic offences during the court sitting.
The 34-year-old faced charges of driving without insurance and without a valid licence in connection with an incident last year.
Sergeant Conor Mulkerns outlined the circumstances of the case, explaining that gardaí were called to the scene of an incident at The Cottages, Burnfoot, on Friday, March 28, 2025.
While attending the location, officers became aware that Mr Daly was in possession of a UK-registered white BMW and had driven the vehicle in a public place.
During an interaction with gardaí, Mr Daly stated that he did not have insurance. Garda Declan Lambe made a lawful demand for the production of insurance documentation, but none was provided.
The court was told that Mr Daly has two previous convictions, including offences for driving without insurance and without a licence.
Defence solicitor Rory O’Brien said the case arose from what he described as a “very strange set of facts.”
He told the court that there were “multiple strands” of events unfolding at the same time, noting that it was in fact Mr Daly who had initially contacted gardaí in relation to an incident in the Burnfoot area.
While the investigating garda began examining that matter, it later emerged that Mr Daly had driven the vehicle without insurance or a licence.
Mr O’Brien said the car journey involved was “only a very small” one, undertaken to collect an item for his wife, before other events took over and Mr Daly became the complainant in a separate aspect of the situation.
The solicitor said his client had accepted responsibility and had “put his hands up” to the charges. He added that Mr Daly had been in the process of applying for his licence at the time and was preparing to sit his theory test.
The court also heard that Mr Daly is on disability allowance following a serious motorbike accident a number of years ago, which left him with significant injuries. He now requires the use of a walking stick and suffers from arthritis.
Mr Daly, who appeared in court using a cane, is also a primary carer for his daughter and relies on social welfare support.
Judge Emile Daly said she had considered all the circumstances before delivering her verdict
She disqualified Mr Daly from driving for two years in relation to his second offence of driving without insurance and imposed a fine of €250. A further fine of €150 was imposed for driving without a licence.