South African man found driving without insurance in Sligo on his second day in Ireland

Stock image.

A South African man was found driving without insurance by Gardaí on only his second day in Ireland, Sligo District Court heard

Tashawell Muhammed (23) of Homeless Persons Unit, Elizabeth O’Farrell House, North Cumberland Street, Dublin was charged with driving without insurance at Applegreen, Mail Coach Road on April 24th, 2024.

Sergeant Derek Butler told the court that Gardaí stopped Muhammed after discovering that his vehicle had no insurance. The defendant admitted to Gardaí that he had no insurance. The vehicle was then seized.

The court heard that Muhammed had no previous convictions.

Ms Abigail Livingstone, solicitor (defending) told Judge Éiteáin Cunningham that her client was stopped by Gardaí on just his second day in Ireland after moving from South Africa. She said that Muhammed had no previous convictions here or in South Africa. Her client worked for Eir and that he drove for a living.

Ms Livingstone explained that Muhammed did not have a personal vehicle and that he drove his work vehicle with insurance covered by his company.

For driving without insurance, Judge Cunningham convicted and fined Muhammed €250 but did not disqualify him from driving due to his no previous convictions and the special circumstances and mitigation outlined by his solicitor. She warned the defendant that if appeared in court again for the same offence, it would be a mandatory four year disqualification.

Report funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.