A Lithuanian national, who drove his Vauxhall Astra car without insurance and without a licence, has appeared before a recent sitting of Fermanagh Magistrates Court where he was fined a total of £300 and had six penalty points imposed. The Court was told that Airidas Ralys (19) with an address at Ashbourne Manor in Enniskillen was detected and stopped by police around 7.00pm by police driving his car at Drumclay Link in Irvinestown on 19th August. He was able to tell police he had no insurance and that his licence was at home in Lithuania.
When he appeared before the court, the defendant told Resident Magistrate Liam McNally, through an interpreter "I am sorry, It will never happen again. For driving without insurance, the defendant was fined £250 and had six penalty points imposed on any Northern Ireland driving licence he may apply for. For driving without a licence the defendant was fined £50.
Motorist left scene of accident
Leaving the scene of a minor traffic collision before police arrived has led to an appearance before Fermanagh Magistrates Court for Hugh Almond (31) from Connelly Park in Lisnarick.
The court heard that on 11th March this year, a Citroen C3 car, driven by the defendant, rear-ended a Toyota Avensis car at Castle Bridge in Enniskillen.
The defendant stopped and spoke to the driver of the other car but then drove away without waiting for police or giving the third party his details.
The court heard the defendant called police the following morning and gave his name and his girlfriend's address. He said he was not aware of the legislation requiring him to remain at the scene of a collision and he also said he didn't think there had been any damage. The defendant said he asked the Avensis owner to pull around the corner so the matter could be settled privately but that the third party wanted to wait for police. The defendant said he was under stress and felt pressure of holding up the traffic lights, so he left the scene knowing that his registration plate would be taken down.
Sentencing, Resident Magistrate Liam McNally said this was a serious matter leaving the scene of an accident. For driving without due care and attention a fine of £200 was imposed. For failing to report a collision, and failing to give a name and address, and for failing to keep his vehicle at the scene, a fine of £150 on each count was imposed. The defendant was also disqualified from driving for three months on each of the three charges, the disqualification's to run concurrently.
Tracey Concrete lorry overweight
Tracey Concrete, Enniskillen have appeared before Fermanagh Magistrates Court for having a four axle cement mixer overweight by 5,560 kilos.
The offence, the Court was told, was detected by vehicle inspectors at 1.00pm on 13th March this year at the Irvinestown Road, Trory when the vehicle, licensed to carry 32,000 kilos, was found to be overweight by 5,560 kilos. It was discovered the vehicle was owned by the driver's employer and, at a later date, Patsy Tracey, director of Tracey Concrete, was spoken to about the incident. He told the inspectors that his lorries had been drawing concrete to a big job at Fisher Engineering.
Defending, Nessa Murnaghan stated that Tracey Concrete were a large company, employing over 100 employees and with a fleet of lorries on the road.
Ms Murnaghan said her client had accepted responsibility for the offence. Resident Magistrate said this was a substantial overload and fined the defendant £300 and ordered him to pay £19 court costs.
Driver had no insurance
Driving a short distance to the shop has led to a disqualification for a young motorist who had no insurance.
Appearing before Fermanagh Magistrates Court was Gary Thomas Maguire (20) with an address at Relagh Guinness, Irvinestown who pleaded guilty to driving a Toyota Carina car without insurance and without a seat belt on 15th April this year.
The Court was told that Police detected the defendant driving the Toyota car at Brownhill Link road, Irvinestown. Defending, Garry Smyth explained this was a family vehicle the defendant had taken to go the short distance to the shop. Mr Smyth told the court now he had sorted himself out with insurance and was employed as a labourer, earning approximately £250 per week.
For driving without insurance, the Resident Magistrate Liam McNally imposed a £250 fine and six penalty points and a £50 fine for not wearing a seat belt. Because the defendant has only recently passed his test, and had now received six penalty points, Mr McNally informed Maguire that under the driving legislation, his licence would now be revoked.
"This is a lesson that young people will have to learn, that if they get into these circumstances they will lose their licences and then will have to re-sit their driving tests," Mr McNally added.
