This article is from page 4 of the 2006-05-09 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
A 19-YEAR-OLD Kilmaley learner driver with 17 motoring convictions has been put off the road until he passes his test.
Noel Keane of Kilcolumb, Kilmaley, Ennis, must also pay a fine of €1,300.
He was found guilty of operating his car without a silencer fitted to his exhaust and of having defective number plates at Liscannor Road, Lahinch, on January 13.
Garda John Cleary of Lahinch Garda Station told Ennistymon District Court last Wednesday that Mr Keane had 16 driving-related previous convictions.
Three of these were for having no silencer fitted to his exhaust.
Garda Cleary said that the other previous convictions were of a minor nature, relating to driving without Lplates and having no NCT certificate displayed.
In imposing the conviction, Judge Joseph Mangan banned the accused from driving for six months, but imposed a continuing ban until Keane produced a completed driving test pass to Clare County Council.
His license was also endorsed. Recognisance was set in the event of an appeal.
Judge Mangan’s ruling was described as “innovative” by a member of Clare County Council’s Road Safety Committee, Cllr Brian Meaney (GP).
“I would very much welcome the judge’s ruling, though I believe that it discriminates against provisional drivers and legislation should be put in place to punish drivers with full licenses who continually flout the road traffic laws in a similar way,” he said.
“For example, I believe that repeat offenders with full licenses should be made re-sit their driving test.”
Conor Faughnan of AA Roadwatch declined to comment on the individual case.
However, speaking generally, Mr Faughnan said it was possible to have anti-social behaviour in a car in a way that was not dangerous and there were laws there to prevent this.
“It is open to the courts to prevent such behaviour and it is a good thing to see that in action.
“Most people would welcome a firm hand with that sort of behaviour,” he said.