A Cavan motorist who went across the border into Fermanagh to pick up a friend has appeared before Fermanagh Magistrates Court charged with a number of motoring offences.

Nineteen year old Darragh O'Rourke from Sean Lee Drive in Belturbet, County Cavan was detected by police driving a Honda Civic car in the direction of Newtownbutler in the early hours of 22nd March this year.

Police noticed the Honda car driving erratically and when they stopped the vehicle, driven by the defendant, they noticed it had two defective tyres.

They also noted the defendant had a provisional Republic of Ireland licence which doesn't cover him to drive North of the border.

When cautioned about the offences, the defendant replied 'No, what can I say'.

Bernard Corrigan, defending, explained to the court the defendant's provisional licence doesn't cover him to drive up North while the same is true of a Northern Irish provisional licence in the Republic.

Mr Corrigan said the defendant had taken all possible steps to ensure he was right for the road including having a qualified driver to accompany him.

Mr Corrigan said a female friend phoned the defendant from Newtownbutler and asked for a lift and he was on his way from Belturbet to Newtownbutler when stopped.

Sentencing, Resident Magistrate Mr Prenter imposed a £50 fine for driving without a licence and imposed fines of £25 for each of the two defective tyres.