Finn Valley drivers fined but avoid bans - Donegal News

Finn Valley uninsured

A NUMBER of defendants who appeared before Letterkenny District Court this week charged with no insurance avoided being banned from driving.

The court heard how Richard Reilly (36) of Cappry, Ballybofey, was stopped at Glebe, Stranorlar on June 15, 2025. Reilly was not able to produce his insurance but he co-operated with gardaí. He was embarrassed by what happened and had no previous convictions, the court was told.

Judge Emile Daly fined Reilly €400, with six months to pay for driving with no insurance but did not disqualify him from driving.

Killygordon man, Bernhard Lafferty (31), of Ballinacor failed to produce his insurance and displayed no tax when stopped in Dromore, Killygordon on August 25 last year, the court heard.

Solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian told the court Lafferty had taken the car on a three-minute drive. He added that he had spent another three minutes returning.

The court heard that Lafferty accepted that he was in the wrong, that the vehicle was not taxed or insured. He works as an electrician and depends on the car, the court was told.

Judge Emile Daly fined Lafferty a total of €550 for failing to produce a certificate of insurance and for having no insurance. Both fines are to be paid within four months. Judge Daly did not disqualify Lafferty from driving.

Elsewhere, Ruslan Smirnov (44), of Finn Farm, Cappry was stopped by gardaí at Lidl on Donegal Road, Ballybofey on July 20, 2025.

The court heard how he had an uninsured Northern Ireland registered car but rectified the situation quickly, making sure there was only one day of an insurance gap.

Smirnov had no previous convictions, entered a plea and works part time in grass cutting, the court heard.

Judge Emile Daly fined him €400, gave him six months to pay but did not ban him for driving.

Declan Dooher (20) of Aghawee, Lifford, was stopped by gardaí at Port Road, Letterkenny on June 20, 2025. Dooher failed to produce a certificate of insurance for the vehicle.

Defending solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian told the court that Dooher had taken the vehicle to help someone else, but was uninsured. The court heard Dooher had no previous convictions.

Judge Emile Daly fined him €400, with six months to pay. Dooher was not banned from driving.

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