Darren Dunne, a 25-year-old car mechanic, has pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and driving while disqualified. The offences occurred at an MOT centre in Newbuildings, Derry, on 17 August.
The court was told that Dunne drove his Volkswagen Passat to the MOT centre for a test. CCTV footage showed him arriving in the car and entering the waiting area. He had been disqualified from driving for two years in March of the same year for previous motoring offences.
Defence Barrister Michael Donaghy stated that Dunne, a mechanic, took a chance in driving to the MOT centre, as he wished to have his car approved to enable him to work. He apologised for his actions.
District Judge Barney McElholm highlighted the aggravating factor of Dunne driving to the MOT centre just three months after being disqualified. He described it as “one of the most brainless cases” he had encountered.
Dunne was sentenced to five months in prison, suspended for three years, and disqualified from driving for one year and nine months. The judge warned that any further offences would result in the suspended sentence being activated, in addition to any new penalties.
Source: Derry Journal