Uninsured car wasn’t Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Portlaoise Court hears

A car wasn’t ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ and didn’t drive on its own, a solicitor admitted before his client was given a jail sentence for having no insurance. 

Abdul Shakoor Awan, 44, of 2 Main Street, Portarlington admitted driving without insurance on the M7 at Cappakeel, Portlaoise on April 21 last. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was stopped on the M7 at Cappakeel at 5.30pm on the date in question. He said a lawful demand was made for insurance and licence. He said the man had five previous convictions which were all for road traffic offences. They included three for no insurance. 

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client had been going to a family function on the last day of Ramadan when he was stopped. He said prior arrangements for transport had fallen through and his client had taken a chance. 

“He realises how foolish, reckless and utterly stupid it was,” said Mr Meagher. 

He told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that a prison sentence would cause “huge difficulty” for the man’s family. 

Judge Andrew Cody said due to his previous convictions the man had effectively been disqualified from driving since 2019 yet he still owns a car.

“It doesn’t drive itself I am sure,” he told Mr Meagher. 

“It doesn’t drive itself. It is not Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” Mr Meagher agreed.

Judge Cody said it was the man’s fourth offence for not having insurance. He imposed a three month prison sentence and fined the man €500. He fixed recogisance in case of appeal. 

The defendant appealed the sentence shortly after the case concluded.