A man who was caught driving while disqualified has been put off the road for six years.
Letterkenny District Court heard that Robbie Delaney had only driven a short distance over Lifford Bridge when his partner became unwell on November 25, 2022.
Gardai were carrying out a checkpoint when a vehicle being driven by Delaney was stopped. A lawful demand was made for the production of documents and Delaney admitted that he was a disqualified driver.
Delaney is a 35-year-old who has an address at Kinnycally, St Johnston, but the court was told that he has now moved to Longford.
In April 2021, Delaney was disqualified from driving for four years after being found driving without insurance. In 2019, he received a two-year driving ban, also for driving without insurance.
Solicitor for Delaney, Mr Rory O’Brien, said his client appreciated his wrongdoing.
Mr O’Brien said Delaney’s partner became unwell on the main road on the day in question.
“All he was looking to do was to get across and park the car,” Mr O’Brien said. “He perceived it as a necessary intervention. There is no excuse whatsoever.”
Mr O’Brien said Delaney had a ‘new purpose’ in the form of his young daughter and was taking very positive steps in his life.
He said: “He has a very traumatic background with tragedy after tragedy after tragedy. He wants to get his life back on track. This was an isolated incident and he did what was necessary at the time.”
Taking into account the mitigation opened by Mr O’Brien, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham convicted Delaney and fined him €300 with five months to pay for driving without insurance. Delaney was disqualified from driving for a period of six years.
A charge of driving without a driving licence was taken into account.