Judge - ‘You have 40 previous convictions and you still haven’t learned your lesson’

When Garda Needham stopped a driver for speeding in Blundelstown, Co Meath he found that he was already disqualified, Trim District Court heard.

Danny Doyle, Willow Gardens, Glanmire, Co Cork was charged with the motoring offence dating back to 2021. Sergeant Kevin Moroney said the defendant had 40 previous convictions, a significant number of them for driving offences. He had three convictions for driving while uninsured, and one for drunken driving.

He had been disqualified for periods from one year to four years, and the latest conviction was in 2020 when he was disqualified for four years.

Judge Marie Quirke said: “You have 40 previous convictions and you still haven’t learned your lesson. You have treated the system with contempt.”

He was sentenced to 240 hours community service and disqualified for four years. He was also fined €500 for having no driving licence.

Separately, a 28-year-old woman stopped by Garda McKenzie gave a false name and address – her sister’s, the court was told. Kristine Osipova, Priorsgate, Green Hills, Tallaght was charged with driving while uninsured and driving without a licence. On R125 in 2021.

The court heard that defendant had a conviction in 2021 for drunken driving for which she had been fined €750 and disqualified for four years. “She didn’t take the disqualification too seriously – she was out driving two months later, ” Judge Quirke said.

The court was also told that while she initially gave a false name and address, she subsequently gave her correct details. For driving while disqualified the judge fined her €250. She was also disqualified for two years. She was fined €200 for giving false details and €100 for having no licence.