No driving ban for uninsured builder

 • 8h ago

A builder caught for uninsured driving claimed he was insured but could not prove it as the owner of the car was no longer living in Ireland, a court heard.

Costica Rusu (22) begged a judge not to put him off the road, saying he needed his driving licence to get to his work on building sites.

Judge Dermot Dempsey fined Rusu €500 but did not disqualify him from driving.

The defendant, of Sheepmoor Avenue in Blanchardstown, admitted uninsured driving at Drumnigh Road in Portmarnock on January 25, 2022.

Sergeant Terri Ferguson told Swords District Court that gardaí were operating a checkpoint when they stopped Rusu driving a Volkswagen Passat.

There was an expired insurance disc on the windscreen, and he failed to produce his insurance to his local garda station, Sgt Ferguson said.

Rusu was driving his friend’s car at the time, his lawyer said, and he was adamant he was insured.

However, his friend had since moved to Germany and he was no longer in contact with him and could not prove he was insured, the court heard.

His lawyer asked Judge Dempsey not to disqualify him, saying the defendant needed his licence for work.