Learner driver pleads guilty to drug driving while practicing for test
A YOUNG man who was stopped by gardai while practicing for his driving test on St Patrick’s Day pleaded guilty at Newcastle West Court to drug driving and having no insurance.
Sohayb Essefiani, aged 19, of Deer Park, Adare pleaded guilty to the two offences at Black Abbey Road, Adare on March 17, 2023. Inspector Barry Manton, prosecuting, said the accused was stopped by gardai performing a checkpoint.
“The garda formed an opinion that he had consumed an intoxicant. He was arrested and conveyed to Henry Street garda station. A blood specimen taken was positive for cannabis. A demand was made for his insurance details which were not produced,” said Insp Manton, who added that the defendant has no previous convictions.
Ted McCarthy, solicitor for Mr Essefiani, said his client was driving in the estate where he lives.
“He was practicing for his driving test. He understood he was driving under his mother’s insurance policy. After he was stopped he discovered he wasn’t (covered).
Four days later he was added as a named driver. He has passed his driving test and got his licence,” said Mr McCarthy.
The solicitor then addressed the drug driving count. “He accepts it was in his system. He was not in the process of smoking cannabis. He has pleaded guilty and he apologises,” said Mr McCarthy, who asked the judge not to disqualify his client from driving on the no insurance count.
Judge Carol Anne Coolican fined Mr Essefiani €150 for driving without insurance.
The judge used her discretion not to disqualify him on that count. Judge Coolican fined the defendant €500 and put him off the road for one year for drug driving.