Limerick motorist with 'very casual attitude' banned for driving while disqualified
Judge reprimands driver who did not have insurance or a licence when stopped on busy Limerick road
A YOUNG Romanian man who was caught driving on a busy road in County Limerick while disqualified has been banned for four years.
Marius Garu, aged 22, who has an address at Blackthorn Grove, Tipperary Town, was before Kilmallock District Court arising from a detection near Dromkeen earlier this year.
Judge Patricia Harney was told he was stopped by Garda Ivan Hannify on the N24, at Corelish East, Dromkeen on April 18 and that it was subsequently established that he did not have insurance or a valid driving licence.
It emerged during the court proceedings that he was previously convicted in relation to a separate offence and was disqualified, before Nenagh District Court, from driving for two years on September 9, 2024.
Addressing the court with the assistance of an interpreter, Mr Garu initially stated he was insured and that a copy of his insurance certificate was to hand in court.
However, when the case was recalled, solicitor Michael O'Donnell indicated his client was entering a guilty plea. He said his client was not aware of the disqualification as the notice had been sent to a 'different house'.
Inspector Barry Manton confirmed that any insurance is "null and void" without a valid driving license. He added that the policy produced by My Garu in court had been taken out following the detection in April.
The court heard the defendant has been living and working in Ireland for the past three years.
Expressing her dissatisfaction with the circumstances of the offence, Judge Harney reprimanded the defendant for having a “very casual attitude” towards the proceedings and the road traffic laws in Ireland.
"He can't be hiding behind the fact that he doesn't know what's going on."
Mr Garu was fined €750 and he was disqualified from driving for four years.
Judge Harney warned the young man he will go to prison if he is caught driving again.