Uninsured Clondalkin man put off the road for eight years

By Brendan Grehan

A SERIAL UNINSURED driver was put off the road for eight years by Blanchardstown Court.

Judge David McHugh also sentenced Darren Cummins to five months in jail, suspended for two years, and to 200 hours community service.

Cummins, aged 43, with an address at Greenfort Crescent, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to having no insurance and no driving licence at Loughview Road, Clondalkin, on August 6, 2011.

He also pleaded guilty to having no insurance and no driving licence at Nangor Road, Clondalkin, on June 10, 2014.
Cummins also pleaded guilty to simple possession of amphetamine and possession of amphetamine for sale or supply at his home address on September 30, 2015.

Sergeant Maria Callaghan said Cummins had 26 previous convictions. In Bray District Court in 2013, he had been fined €750 and received a five-year ban for no insurance.

In response to Judge McHugh, Sgt Callaghan said Cummins had four previous convictions for no insurance.

Judge McHugh told Cummins’ solicitor, Terry Hanahoe : “It would appear that your client has a mental block to the risks of driving without insurance.”

Mr Hanahoe said he accepted that his client does have a record for driving without insurance, but he asked the judge not to impose a custodial sentence.

He said Cummins is a father with four children and would be willing to do community service.

Judge McHugh sentenced Cummins to 200 hours community service with four months jail in default and a six-year driving ban for having no insurance from 2011. He also sentenced Cummins to five months jail, suspended for two years with an eight-year road ban for the no insurance from 2014.

He also fined Cummins €200 for possession for sale or supply charge.

The remaining offences were taken into consideration.