Disqualified driver with no licence or insurance gave false name to gardaí

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A Galway man received a six month sentence after pleading guilty to driving while disqualified and giving a false name to gardaí.

Anthony Barrett (19), of 17 Fana Glas, Ballybane pleaded guilty to multiple charges involving driving without insurance or a licence, driving while disqualified, and giving false information to the gardaí.

On January 19 of this year, Garda Phillip Staunton pulled Barrett over on Castlepark road in Ballybane where he was found to be driving without a licence or insurance.

He failed to produce a valid licence or insurance at Mill st. garda station within ten days of the stop, as was required, and his car was seized by gardaí.

Then, the court heard, Barrett was involved in another road traffic incident with gardaí just last week.

On Saturday, July 7 at five to four in the afternoon, Barrett was stopped by gardaí while driving a different car in Summerfield, Claregalway.

Since he still had no licence or insurance, Barrett initially gave a false name and address to the garda, though he admitted the truth soon afterwards.

Judge Mary Fahy warned that it was a strong mark against Barrett that he picked up further, similar charges after his car had been seized and he had been disqualified from driving.

“He went out knowing he was disqualified and got a different car,” she said.

Mr.Barrett’s solicitor said that his client wasn’t offering any defence for his actions and was in the court’s hands. There was no application for bail made in this case.

For driving while he was disqualified, Barrett received a five month prison sentence, and has been disqualified from driving for a further four years.

For giving false information to the garda officer who pulled him over Barrett received a one month consecutive sentence

He also received one month and three month concurrent sentences for driving without a licence and driving without insurance.