A Newtownhamilton man who caused an accident on a road he was not familiar with has been handed six penalty points as he was not insured.
The deputy district judge told the 33-year-old: “It is not an option to drive on the road, no matter how short the distance, without insurance.”
Kevin Barry O’Brien, of Dungormley Estate, pleaded guilty to driving without due care or attention, using a vehicle without insurance and no test certificate at Armagh Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
It was heard that on December 10, at around 7pm, police were called to a road traffic accident at the junction of Clady Road and Corran Road, Armagh.
The defendant had been the driver of a Volkswagen Golf which had emerged onto the main road into the path of a lorry.
Checks of the car showed that it had no valid MOT and was not insured.
O’Brien was interviewed on February 6 at Armagh Police Station and made full admissions.
Defence barrister Kevin O’Hare stated: “This was on a road which Mr O’Brien did not have familiarity with and he did not see the stop sign.
“He had collected the car from a friend as work was being carried out on it for the MOT.”
He added: “Mr O’Brien works in Dundalk and his licence is vital to his employment in travelling to and from.”
Deputy District Judge Sean O’Hare said: “This was a plea at the earliest opportunity but it is not an option to drive on the road, no matter how short the distance, without insurance.”
O’Brien was handed six penalty points and ordered to pay a fine of £575, along with the offender’s levy of £15.
