Motoring offences at Trim Court

A TRIM man who had three previous no insurance convictions and drove while disqualified was fined €1,000 and given a six-month suspended sentence when he appeared before the local court.

He was also banned from driving for 10 years. John Joyce (22), of Mornington Drive, Trim, was charged with driving without insurance at Summerhill Road, Trim, on 11th April 2008.

Solicitor Miriam Regan said the defendant had been fully co-operative. She said he was selling his van to pay his fines and was stopped that morning. He lost his job the month previously "because of the downturn", she said.

Judge Brophy imposed a €1,000 fine, banned him from driving for 10 years and imposed a six-month suspended sentenced with warrant not to issue if the defendant keeps the peace for the next two years. "If you commit any offence, you will go to prison for six months," Judge Brophy warned him.

Meanwhile, a man who almost knocked a garda down at a checkpoint was fined €500 and given five penalty points for careless driving when he appeared before Trim Court.

Patrick Ward, Knockstown, Moynalvey, was fined €1,000 and given five penalty points after being convicted of careless driving.

The court heard the defendant had broken a red light. Ward was also summonsed for drink-driving but contested the case. Judge Brophy dismissed the case on a technicality that arose during the garda's evidence.

Andrius Gricius, Amberwood, Ballivor, was also fined €500 and given five penalty points for driving without insurance, also at Newtown, Trim, on 7th April 2008.

The court heard that two cars were stopped at a check-point in a 50km/h zone. The defendant came at speed and failed to decelerate. He overtook the two stationary cars and nearly knocked the Gardai down.

Sorin Felindean, Kiltale, Trim, was fined €500 and given five penalty points after being convicted of careless driving at Trim Court. The offence occurred at Scurlogstown, Trim, on 12th February 2008.

The following fines were also imposed at Trim Court for motoring offences: Peter Walsh, Corballis, Rathmolyon, Enfield, no insurance, €500, five penalty points;

Miriam Rush, Newtown Abbey, Trim, non display of tax disc, €150; David Joyce (25), Saint Martins Park, Maudlins, Trim, failed to produce insurance €120; Dermot White, Clarkestown, Summerhill, failed to produce insurance €120; Paul Larkin, 2 Highfield, Kells Road, Athboy, non-display of tax disc, €100; Sharon Miller, Connaught Place, Athboy, €100.

Also at Trim Court, a lorry driver who was recorded travelling at 77km/h in a 50km/h zone was fined €800 and given four penalty points.

Ryszard Brewczak, Cluain Aoibhinn, Naas, was summonsed for speeding at Kiltale, Trim, on 21st May 2007. The court heard the defendant had been driving a four-axle rigid truck.

A Tullamore man who drove at 100km/h at the 50km/h zone at Kiltale, Trim, was fined €500 and given four penalty points.

Judge John Brophy told Michael Kavanagh (34), of Thornsbury Estate, Tullamore, he was mad to be doing 100km/h in a built-up zone and that he had a "good mind to put him off the road".

The following fines were also imposed at Trim Court for speeding offences: Denise O'Brien, 176 Lackenash, Trim, €300, four penalty points; John Tuite, New Down, The Downs, Mullingar, €120, four penalty points; John Doran, Hamilton Place, Trim, €300, four penalty points; Gemma Darby, Blackshade, Clonard, Enfield, €120, four penalty points; Emily King, Williamstown House, Delvin, Westmeath, €120, four penalty points; David Brogan, Coolnanay Stud, Slanemore, Mullingar, €120, four penalty points.