Uninsured driver who crashed into ditch fined €1,250 at Kilkenny District Court

A man who was found in a field, after a car he was driving was found crashed in a ditch, has been convicted of the driving without insurance and the unauthorised taking of a vehicle.

Paul Hatton, The Gables, Kilclonely, Borris, pleaded guilty to the charges, arising out of an incident on July 15, 2022.

Gardaí received a call to go to a traffic accident at Ballyellen, Carlow. On arrival gardaí observed a black BMW crashed against a ditch, unattended. The garda was informed the driver of the car had gone into a field. That was where the garda found Mr Hatton. He was arrested and taken to Carlow Garda Station.

An evidenzer test showed a level of 42mcg of alcohol per 100mls of breath.
In a later interview, under caution, Mr Hatton admitted to the unauthorised taking of the vehicle and not being insured to drive.
He was cooperative with the gardaí.

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The court heard the car Mr Hatton was driving on the day was his friend’s jeep. He would normally have permission to drive it, on this day his friend was on holiday and Mr Hatton took the car because his own wouldn’t start.

The men are still good friends, the court heard. Mr Hatton has learned his lesson.
Solicitor Joe Farrell said his client would be very grateful if the court did not disqualify him from driving.
Judge Geraldine Carthy said she would not disqualify Mr Hatton but would impose a larger fine.
He was convicted and fined €1,250 for driving without insurance.
The second charge was taken into consideration.