Fines and convictions for man caught twice in one month with no car tax
The defendant was fined a total of €400 in his absence
A man has been fined a total of €400 for two convictions of driving without displaying motor tax.
Gavin Byrne, 44, of Old Laundry, Mulroy Estate, Carrigart was due before Donegal District Court on Wednesday. However, he was not present.
Garda Paul Corcoran of Ballyshannon Garda Station confirmed that the defendant had been notified on April 11.
Garda Corcoran gave evidence that he had been conducting a checkpoint at Trumman East, Laghey on Wednesday, August 11, 2021. At 6.27pm he stopped a green Volkswagen Polo and observed the tax had expired in March 2021.
“I spoke to the driver, informed him that he was out of tax and that a Fixed Charge Penalty Notice [FCPN} would be issued,” said Garda Corcoran.
“Gavin Byrne became agitated and said he would not be paying the fine.
“I issued the FCPN and this was not paid.”
Garda Gerard Curtis of Donegal Town Garda Station then gave evidence that he stopped the same vehicle less than a month later, on September 7, 2021 at Clarcarricknagun, Donegal Town.
It was still displaying a tax disc which had expired in March 2021.
Again, an FCPN was issued but was not paid.
Evidence of posting of the FCPNs was handed into court.
Judge Deirdre Gearty said that she was satisfied that the defendant had been notified of the court date and that he had received the fines.
She imposed convictions and fines of €200 for each of the two charges.