Uninsured teenage driver caught twice within two months

Kladius Steponkus (19) had a false insurance disc on the car windscreen when he was stopped by gardai for the first time.

Judge David McHugh fined Steponkus €150, banned him from driving for two years and ordered him to complete 150 hours' community service, in lieu of three months in prison.

The defendant, of Buirg An Ri Walk, Lucan, admitted two counts of driving without insurance before Blanchardstown District Court.

The uninsured driving incidents took place at Nangor Road, Clondalkin, on January 14, 2018, and on March 31, 2018, at Balgaddy Road in Lucan.

Garda Brendan O'Brien said he stopped Steponkus driving a 2003-registered vehicle on Nangor Road.

Gda O'Brien said he had a look at the windscreen and believed the insurance disc was false.

False

Steponkus admitted the disc was false, and he was then asked to produce his insurance documentation but failed to do so.

In the second incident, Garda Laura O'Callaghan stopped Steponkus shortly after midnight.

Again he was asked for his insurance documentation but he did not have the papers.

The court was told that the defendant had never been in trouble before.

Defence solicitor Simon Fleming said that Steponkus was working as a carpenter/fitter.

Mr Fleming added that the defendant was one of four boys and his parents had come to Ireland when he was just three years old.

He said that Steponkus had no excuse for his behaviour and wished to apologise for it.

Judge McHugh said the defendant was caught without insurance and then he was caught again two months later, in the same vehicle.

Mr Fleming said Steponkus's behaviour was due to a "level of immaturity", as well as him "not realising the consequences" of uninsured driving.