Man said he didn't know he was disqualified when stopped by gardai in Offaly

A MAN who said he didn't know he was disqualified from driving when he was stopped by Garda Fitzpatrick on April 6 this year, appeared at last week's Tullamore District Court.

In his evidence to the court Sergeant Richard Thornton said that the accused, Marius Cornel Micu (32), with an address at Caravan 942, St Brigid's Place, Edenderry, was driving a black BMW Serrano on April 6, 2024 on the Dublin Road, Edenderry.

He was disqualified at the time and was arrested and taken to Tullamore Garda Station. Sergeant Thornton said the defendant had been disqualified for two years on January 19, 2023 for an offence that happened on April 27, 2021.

Solicitor Patrick Martin said Mr Micu didn't turn up in court in 2023 which was when he had received the disqualification and that was why he didn't know about it.

He has been in Ireland for four years and works in a chicken factory earning €400 per week and pays rent of €800 per month. He has one child. Mr Martin added that had Mr Micu turned up in court in 2023 he may not have been disqualified.

Judge Andrews asked Mr Martin if he was asking her to accept that Mr Micu didn't know he had been disqualified.

Mr Martin said the accused hadn't really been driving that much and was relying on a friend who wasn't available on that particular date.

Judge Andrews fined Mr Micu €500 for driving while disqualified and took the other matters into consideration.