A 73 year old farmer who used a black marker to change the insurance details on his tractor has been fined a total of €400.
Robert Jenkins was involved in a minor traffic accident in Co Donegal on September 23rd, 2016.
When Gardai arrived at the scene, they found that the insurance disc on Mr Jenkins’ 1977 tractor had been tampered with.
Garda Inspector Barry Doyle told Letterkenny District Court that the insurance disc had been tampered with and that the date had been changed from 2016 to 2017.
When interviewed by Gardai, Jenkins, of Mondooey, Manorcunningham, admitted the charge.
Solicitor for the accused, Mr Donagh Cleary, said his client had limited literacy.
He said that he had every opportunity to remove the falsified insurance disc at the scene of the accident at Mongorry, Raphoe, before Gardai arrived but did not do so.
He said he had been called to reapply for his license but because he could not complete the theory test, he could not get his license and was unable to renew his insurance.
He added that Mr Jenkins had been driving for almost 60 years, has a small farm but can no longer drive.
Judge Paul Kelly fined Jenkins €250 for having no insurance, a further €150 for having no tax and took the other charges including altering his insurance disc into consideration.