A 26-year-old Enniskillen man faces a combined fine of £250 plus six penalty points after his case was heard at a recent sitting of Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

The court heard how, at approximately 1.05am on 28th May, Patrick Gunn of Silverstream, Enniskillen was stopped at a vehicle checkpoint on Main Street, Derrylin, when he was detected wearing no seatbelt. It was later discovered that he had no insurance.

Defending, Sean McHugh, explained that his client had a provisional driver's licence. On the occasion in question, Gunn was fulfilling a request by his girlfriend to give her a lift and he was on his way home when he was approached by police and found to be without a seatbelt. His client knew there was no excuse for that, he added.

Referring to the no insurance, Mr McHugh accepted that it was a foolish decision on his client's behalf. He reported that Gunn had since disposed of the vehicle and was waiting to go on the road when he was legally obliged to do so.

For driving without a seatbelt, Mr McNally, the RM, imposed a £50 fine, and for driving without insurance, he imposed a £200 fine with six penalty points.

Uninsured moped rider fined £200

A 19-year-old Enniskillen man, who drove a moped without insurance, has been ordered to pay £200 and has had six penalty points endorsed on his licence at Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

Resident Magistrate Liam McNally heard how at approximately 2.50pm on 3rd June this year, Ruairi Sean Gallagher from Drumbrughas North was driving along the Gola Road, Lisnaskea, when he was spoken to by police with regard to having no insurance to drive the vehicle.

Defending, Michael Fahy said his client was a 19-year-old car repair man who was a new driver. He said his client did have insurance at the time to drive another vehicle. On the day in question, it was warm and his client decided to take the scooter on to the road, and it was when he was en route back that Gallagher was detected by police.

He submitted that the defendant had succumbed to temptation and that it was he who owned the scooter. He said the defendant was a hard-working, young man.

Mr McNally told Gallagher that this was a vehicle he had purchased and took to the road knowing he had no insurance for it. He ordered a £200 fine and six penalty points.

Motorist thought he was insured

A 65-year-old retired farmer faces a combined fine of £260 and six penalty points for motoring offences following conviction at Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

Resident Magistrate, Liam McNally heard how at approximately 11.00am on 28th March this year, Patrick Charles Falconer of Derryvolan Road, Enniskillen, was driving along the Dublin Road in Enniskillen when his vehicle was detected driving with a defective tyre. He was later found not to be insured to drive the vehicle.

The Court was told that, at the time, the defendant told PSNI officers that it was a matter that had been overlooked and that, to the best of his knowledge, he thought he was insured to drive on the date in question.

Defending, Falconer's solicitor said his client was a retired farmer who had 50 years' driving experience behind him. On the insurance matter, he submitted that it was just something that Falconer had overlooked but had since put it right.

For driving without insurance, Mr McNally imposed a £200 fine and six penalty points. For driving with a defective tyre, he ordered a further £60 fine.

Kesh mother fined and banned

A 28-year-old Kesh woman faces a combined fine of £325 plus an 18 month driving disqualification after conviction for a number of motoring offences at Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

Resident Magistrate Liam McNally heard how, at approximately 11.00am on 5th May, Michelle Claire Hannigan, from Crevenish Park, was stopped at a vehicle checkpoint on the Crevenish Road, Kesh, and found not to be wearing her seatbelt. It was later discovered that she had no insurance or vehicle test certificate.

Defending, Garry Smyth said his client had just got her driving test and had purchased her vehicle from a garage and that, one week after work had been completed on the car, she was bringing the vehicle a short distance when she was detected by police, 'having taken a chance'. He further submitted that she was a single lady with four young children.

For driving without insurance, Mr McNally ordered a £250 fine and imposed an 18-month driving ban. For no vehicle test certificate, he ordered Hannigan to pay £50. For wearing no seatbelt, he ordered a fine of £25.

Facing assault charges

Two men are expected to appear in court in Enniskillen this month charged in relation to an assault on a retired church minister.

A 20-year-old man has been charged with assault and a 19-year-old with disorderly behaviour arising out of the incident in Irvinestown on October 16th.