No ban for Aussie mine machine driver for quad bike offence

A PLEA was made to a Judge not to impose the normal driving ban on a young man guilty of driving without insurance on a quad bike, on the grounds that such a ban might impact on his work driving machinery in an Australian mine.

The plea was made before Judge James Faughnan at Tuam District Court. Eric Gleeson solr (defending ) said his client was currently out in Australia but his mother was in Court. He pleaded that his client was a young man getting on with his life and the mandatory driving disqualification for the charge he faced of driving without insurance on a quad bike would have very serious consequences for his work and life in Australia.

The Court was told Burke had three previous convictions, including one for careless driving in 2024.

Judge Faughnan said the same rules applied for any mechanically propelled vehicle which a quad bike is but decided to use the discretion allowed and imposed a fine of €500, but directed that no driving ban be imposed.