False tax disk on car stopped in Limerick was a ‘cut and paste’ job

THE owner of a vehicle stopped at Monearla, Adare on November 9 last year was fined €200 at Newcastle West court for having no tax on the vehicle. The tax had expired the previous July.

But John Byrne, Hammondstown, Dunleer, Co Louth was fined €700 for fraudulent use of a tax disk. When a garda examined the tax disk, he discovered it had been altered.

“It was a cut and paste kind of job,” Garda Melody told the court.

“I have come across that before,” Judge Mary Dorgan said.

Pleading for his client solicitor Ted McCarthy said Mr Byrne was 75 and had no previous of any kind.

This is a one-off, said Mr McCarthy.

Mr Byrne had run his business for years but by way of explanation, had suffered a family tragedy and had a fall himself.

“It was a horrible year for him. He accepts what he did was stupid. His head wasn’t in the right place,” Mr McCarthy said.

On the day in question, there were two other vehicles in the yard.  Judge Dorgan said it was a very serious charge but it was sad he had gotten to 75 years of age leading a blame-free life  and now this happened.

“He could have gone online and taxed the vehicle and left a note for gardai,” she pointed out.