A teenager who got caught by police driving without insurance or a licence after getting lost in Keady and pulling up to use Google Maps.
Matthew Carolan, 18, of Brackagh Road, in Emyvale, Co Monaghan pleaded guilty at Armagh Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to driving without a licence or insurance.
The incident occurred on June 3 at around 6.20pm, when police in Keady witnessed the defendant exit his vehicle on the Granemore Road.
Checks on the vehicle showed it to be uninsured and when approached by officers Carolan stated he only had a provisional licence.
The defendant was arrested and taken into Dungannon Custody Suite.
Defence solicitor Oisin Toner explained Carolan had purchased the car after leaving school and had booked to do his theory soon.
He added the defendant had foolishly decided to drive on country roads to practice.
Mr Toner said Carolan had in fact been lost in Keady and had stepped out of his car to check Google maps in order to get home.
The solicitor finished by saying the teenager had never been in trouble before this and did not wish to again.
District Judge Paul Copeland banned Carolan from driving for six months and ordered him to pay a fine of £200, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within one week.
