Man caught with no insurance after car park crash in Ballybofey
Solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian said that his client, who was involved in a collision in a supermarket car park while he was uninsured, is on Social Welfare benefit and that he engages in some grass cutting with the approval of the Social Welfare
An uninsured driver who was involved in a road traffic collision at a busy supermarket has avoided a driving ban.
Gardai attended the scene of a two-vehicle collision at the car park of Lidl, Donegal Road, Ballybofey at 12.21pm on July 20, 2025.
Officers spoke to Ruslan Smirnov, who admitted that he was driving one of the vehicles and that he had no insurance.
The 44-year-old, of Finn Farm, Cappry, Ballybofey, has no previous convictions and appeared before Letterkenny District Court.
Solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian said that his client is on Social Welfare benefit and that he engages in some grass cutting with the approval of the Social Welfare.
Mr Dorrian said that Smirnov is a married father-of-one and there was a one-day gap in the insurance for the vehicle, which was Ukrainian registered.
“He made an application for new insurance but. perhaps due to the registration details, it took a bit longer,” Mr Dorrian added.
Judge Emile Daly convicted Smirnov and fined him €400. Smirnov was given six months to pay and was not disqualified.