A 46-YEAR-OLD man driving a car with the hazard lights on had no valid insurance or driving licence at the time when stopped by police, a court has heard.

Dermott Thomas Corrigan, of Railway Street, Belcoo, was stopped by police on the Derrylin Road, Enniskillen on September 28 last, driving a Peugeot 307 towards the town. He had hazards lights on, and was driving between 30-40mph. 

Police stopped the car and identified the driver as the defendant, and asked why he was driving at that speed with the hazard lights on.

Corrigan told them there was accident damage to the front tyre which was defective.

Checks by officers showed there was no valid policy of insurance; however, Corrigan – who had an American driving licence – was adamant he was insured to drive.
A fixed penalty was issued, which was not paid.

Corrigan’s solicitor, Niall Bogue, told the court that his client had purchased the car with a view of fixing it up and using it himself. 

When Corrigan purchased the car, there was a valid insurance policy, but it did not cover him.

The 46-year-old had lived in the US for 20 years and had returned in 2018, but his US licence had only remained valid for 12 months.

Mr. Bogue told the court that Corrigan did intend to get a UK driving licence.

District Judge Steven Keown said this was Corrigan’s second no insurance charge, which showed “disregard” for the law, which Mr. Bogue accepted showed his client was playing “fast and loose” with driving regulations, but added that his client did believe he was covered, but that was not the case.

For the charges of no insurance, no driving licence and having a defective tyre, Judge Keown disqualified Corrigan from driving for four months, and handed down a £550 fine.