A self-employed beauty therapist ran the risk of being disqualified from driving for two years, five penalty points on her licence and a fine of up to €5,000 when her insurance policy was found to have lapsed for just a few hours.
Anastasia Kucheriava, 16 Hazel Lawns, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo appeared before Judge James Faughnan at Tuam District Court charged with driving without insurance.
Danny McGrath solicitor (defending ) pleaded that his client was always careful about making sure her insurance cover was in order. As it transpired, her policy lapsed at midnight on September 15 last and she had taken out a new policy which began the next day, September 16 at midnight.
Unfortunately, she was stopped by Gardaí the following morning and when her insurance details were checked it showed that her new policy hadn’t kicked in at the time of the check. As a result she was charged with the offence of driving without insurance.
Mr McGrath produced documentary evidence to prove that his client had cover for the day before being stopped and the day after, and pleaded that this was a genuine error, a bureaucratic mix-up.
Judge Faughnan accepted this explanation and imposed a fine of €300 but without a driving disqualification because of extenuating circumstances.
Mr McGrath thanked the Judge for his understanding but said that his client was a hard-working woman and asked if a more lenient fine might be considered. Judge Faughnan reduced the fine to €150.
