Convicted for no car insurance 20 hours after the policy expired

A Longford man was convicted and ordered to complete 20 hours of community service for no insurance after it expired 20 hours before he was stopped by Gardai.
Michael Ward, 30 Pallas Crescent, Ardnacassa, Longford was convicted and ordered to complete 200 hours of community service in lieu of six months in prison and disqualified from driving for four years for no insurance at Knocklongford, Mohill on June 23, 2021.

He was also convicted and fined €150 for no driving license, €150 for no tax and €200 for driving with no L plates.
Solicitor Martin Burke said the probation report said he was a moderate risk.
He explained that his client was married with four children and worked part-time in gardening and landscaping.
It was noted that he had 18 hours outstanding in community service and the defendant submitted that this was due to Covid and the weather as he had made himself available for the hours.
Mr. Ward said he was driving his wife’s car and believed it was insured at the time.

It was acknowledged that the car’s insurance had expired at midnight the night before and Mr Ward was stopped at 8pm the following day.
Mr Ward said his own van had insurance and he would have driven it if he had known the insurance had expired.
Judge Sandra Murphy pointed out the defendant did have previous convictions for no insurance.
Mr. Ward begged for community service and said “I will do every one of the hours.”
Recognitions were fixed in case of an appeal at the request of Mr Ward by Solicitor Martin Burke.