Man fined for driving with illegitimate Spanish driving licence in Limerick town

A 46-YEAR-OLD man has been convicted of driving without a legitimate licence in Rathkeale, Limerick.

Tarek Belhocine, with a home address at Cappry, Ballybofey, Donegal, was observed driving in a public place by Garda Maher on patrol in Rathkeale on November 29, 2021.

The garda asked to see his licence, and Mr Belhocine presented a Spanish driving licence.

Newcastle West District Court heard from Prosecuting Inspector Gearóid Thompson that the Spanish driving licence that Mr Belhocine presented to the garda was not legitimate at the time.

Inspector Gearóid Thompson told Judge Carol Anne Coolican that Mr Belhocine has a number of previous convictions, including a number of false instrument charges, several road traffic convictions, a public order offence, a simple possession of drugs offence, a criminal damage offence, and failure to produce a valid passport.

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The court heard that his most recent offence saw Mr Belhocine before Letterkenny District Court on December 31, 2022 for the possession of a false instrument.

In response to hearing a brief summary of the man’s previous convictions, Judge Coolican said: “Thank you. I have a flavour.”

Solicitor Michael O’Donnell, defending the man, said in mitigation that Mr Belhocine has been in the country ten years, is a father, and cares for his child who is unwell.

Judge Carol Anne Coolican convicted the man for failing to produce a valid driving licence, and fined him a €300 penalty, with six months to pay.

-Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme