Suspended prison sentence for no insurance in Laois

A suspended prison sentence was imposed on a man who was caught driving without insurance in Laois.

Calvin Moran, 23, of Long Pavement, Watch House Cross, Limerick was charged with not having a licence or insurance, NCT and failing to produce the documents at the M7 Clonard in Laois on October 8 in 2021.

Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant has 36 previous convictions which all relate to road traffic offences. He said five of these were  for driving without insurance. The sitting of Portlaoise District Court heard the accused hadn’t appeared on his last court date. 

A solicitor for the accused said he had failed to appear on a previous date due to a miscommunication between the solicitor’s office and the defendant. 

He said the defendant comes from “a very challenged family and community” background. 

Acknowledging his “appalling record”, the solicitor said his client had a passion for driving but “as of today and more recent times he doesn’t have a vehicle”. 

He said the man was a talented sportsman and had played GAA and soccer at intercounty level and didn’t succumb to other temptations as had happened to others with a similar background.

“He understands he is in danger of receiving a custodial sentence,” the solicitor remarked. 

“I am asking for leniency on this final occasion in this court,” he added. 

“He has to get over his obsession with driving,” Judge Andrew Cody said as he noted “his appalling history of 36 previous, all for road traffic.”

Judge Cody imposed a six month sentence suspended for five years and disqualified him for driving for 10 years. He also imposed fines totalling €900. 

Judge Cody fixed recognisance in case of appeal and warned the defendant that he would serve the sentence if he commits any offence in the next five years.