Woman had no idea how car registered in her name ended up in Pettigo

A woman who claimed she had sold a car which was found parked in Pettigo with no tax has been fined €200.

Fiona Fabozzi of 2 The Courtyard, COlloaney, Sligo was before Donegal District Court on Wednesday. She pleaded not guilty to a charge of non-display of motor tax at Mill Street, Pettigo on January 1, 2022. 

The tax had expired in July 2020.

Fabozzi claimed she had sold the car the previous December to ‘a young male.’ 

She said she had obtained his signature and had herself sent the change of ownership documents.

However, when the car was observed by Garda Niall Prady parked on the street in Pettigo, it was still registered to the defendant. The garda said there were suitcases in the car and there was mould growing on the steering wheel.

“It appeared that it hadn’t been used in a long time,” he said. 

The car was seized and no-one had since come forward to claim it.

Solicitor for the accused Jim Corbett said his client had absolutely no connection to Pettigo, and had sold the car for cash. He added that the suitcases did not belong to Fabozzi.

Fabozzi told the court that she did not recall getting a Fixed Charge Penalty Notice (FCPN).

Mr Corbett said his client had completed her legal obligation in sending off the change of ownership.

“I am asking you to give this lady the benefit of the doubt in the circumstances,” he said to Judge Sandra Murphy.

Inspector Seamus McGonigle told the court that the defendant had 16 previous convictions. He outlined a number of motoring and drugs offences for which she had been convicted between 2011 and 2014.

Mr Corbett pointed out that all of those offences went back a long way.

Judge Murphy said: “I have heard the evidence of Garda Brady, and in terms of proof it is in order. 

“I have heard the evidence of Ms Fabozzi. 

“I have taken into account what she said. However, there is no evidence before the court in relation to that.”

Judge Murphy imposed a conviction and fine of €200.