Driver of BMW 4x4 had no insurance
A father-to-be has claimed he was unaware his wife's motor trade insurance policy, on which he was a named driver, had been cancelled by the insurance company some two months before he was stopped by gardai.
Wayne Holohan (33) said he and his wife were "not speaking" at the time and it was nearly five months after he was stopped by gardai that a friend told him the policy had been cancelled. Holohan's wife, Amanda Mansfield, with whom he has since reconciled, said she also wasn't aware that her insurance policy was cancelled by her insurance company in early November 2006.
Plea
Holohan had pleaded not guilty at Tallaght District Court to driving without insurance or a driving licence at Belgard Road, Tallaght on December 29, 2006.
The court heard the vehicle was registered to Ms Mansfield, a part-time motor trader, and there was a trade policy on the vehicle, on which Holohan claimed he was a named driver.
However, the insurance company said they cancelled the policy in 2006 after they discovered that Ms Mansfield was also working as a part-time beautician, which was contrary to the terms of the policy.
Communication
The company sent a registered letter to Ms Mansfield cancelling the policy, but it was returned unopened.
Judge David McHugh said he was satisfied the termination of the insurance contract was valid, and Holohan was driving without insurance.
The court heard that Holohan, of Crooksling, Saggart and Mountain View Lodge, Brittas, has 27 previous convictions, including 14 for driving without insurance, though these date back to before 1997.
Judge McHugh convicted and fined Holohan €900 and put him off the road for one year.
- Eimear Cotter
