Man serving sentence in Loughan House fined for not wearing seat belt

A MAN currently serving a sentence in low security open prison Loughan House, was fined in Tallaght District Court for not wearing a seat belt in a car.

Damit Rostas, with an address of Virginia Hall, Belgard Square, Tallaght, appeared before court charged with being an occupant in a vehicle who was not wearing a seat belt.

Garda James Cullen told the court that on June 19, 2023, he stopped a vehicle at the N81 in Tallaght and the defendant, Mr Rostas, could offer no explanation for not wearing a seatbelt.

The court heard Mr Rostas has 13 previous convictions, including two for the offence he was facing, and one for driving without consideration.

Defence counsel Ethan Foley BL said his client is currently serving a sentence at Loughan house and is due for release in September 2026.

Judge John O’Leary asked Mr Rostas if he was aware of the seriousness of the situation where he could end up in A&E department, noting he has been caught three times for the same offence.

Mr Foley said his client is looking to finish reformation, get back to civil society, and that he appreciates seriousness of the charge.

Judge O’Leary fined Mr Rostas €200 with seven days imprisonment in default.

“So, no extra penalty. I hope you have learned from that,” said the Judge.

Funded by the Local Courts Reporting Scheme