Banned Offaly motorist who had no lift 'panicked' and drove car to work
Ballycommon offence results in man getting another three years off road and fines totalling €1,000
A MAN with what was described by his solicitor as a “poor driving history” was banned for three years by Judge Andrew Cody.
Tullamore District Court heard that Ben Standing (43), Rathdrum, Ballycommon, Tullamore, was already disqualified when he was driving a 2004 Volkswagen at Derrygrogan Little, Ballycommon on August 12 last.
Sergeant Brendan Kearns said Mr Standing had been disqualified from driving for three years in September 2023 and the previous year he had been convicted of non-display of L plates.
He had another previous disqualification for four years and had also been convicted of driving without insurance and drink-driving.
Defending solicitor Aisling Maloney acknowledged that Mr Standing had a poor driving history and explained that on this occasion he needed to get to work and his lift had let him down.
Ms Maloney said he took a chance and drove himself. He had got rid of that car since and now cycles.
“He panicked on the morning in question,” she added.
A man who always worked, and had a working partner and one child, he believed he had to get to work on the date of the offence and he was well thought of at his place of employment.
Judge Andrew Cody imposed a fine of €500, with six months to pay, for driving without insurance, along with a five-month suspended sentence and a three-year driving ban.
Another fine of €500 was imposed for driving without a licence.
(Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme)