Banned from driving for holding mobile phone in car on motorway near Offaly border
Motorist who was not in court had 17 previous convictions
A THREE-month driving ban was imposed on a man in his absence at Tullamore District Court.
When his case was called James Doyle (38), Devenish Road, Kimmage, Dublin, was not present.
Judge Andrew Cody heard he had been detected holding a mobile phone while driving on the M6 at Kilbeggan South on January 28 last.
A fixed charge penalty notice was issued but it was not paid. The court also heard the accused had 17 previous convictions in total and nine of those were for breaches of road traffic laws.
There were also convictions for theft and a public order offence and fines, plus a community service order, had been imposed.
Judge Cody imposed a fine of €400 and disqualified Mr Doyle from driving for three months, noting that the defendant had 17 previous convictions.