Uninsured Kilkenny driver banned for eight years - got behind wheel in 'almost emergency'

Thomas Hayes, 28 Old Garden Lane, Bishopslough, Kilkenny, pleaded guilty to driving without insurance or a licence when the case came before Kilkenny District Court.

Sergeant Morgan O’Connor said that on October 13 gardaí stopped a vehicle on Dean Street. Mr Hayes was driving.

He did not have his driving licence on him and, when gardaí checked, they discovered he was disqualified from driving.

There were seven previous convictions recorded against the defendant, including for driving without insurance.

Solicitor Chris Hogan said his client accepted he was not insured to drive on the day.

Mr Hayes had been in Kilkenny, shopping with his partner. She hurt her back and Mr Hayes thought he was doing the right thing by driving her to the doctor. On the way he was stopped by the gardaí.

The car was seized and Mr Hayes brought to the garda station.

A taxi brought his wife to the doctor.

An apology letter from Mr Hayes was handed in to court. He is genuinely remorseful, the solicitor said.

Mr Hogan said his client works as a special needs assistant in a school. He urged the court to take into account Mr Hayes’s early plea and that it was an almost-emergency situation.

Judge Geraldine Carthy said she was satisfied Mr Hayes was remorseful.

A breach of a court order was serious but she did not see a benefit to the state of imposing a custodial sentence in this case.

Mr Hayes was convicted of driving without insurance and ordered to pay a fine of €600. He was also disqualified from driving for eight years.

Not having a driving licence was taken into consideration.

Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.