A man who was living out of his car after being evicted was caught driving his car despite being a disqualified driver.

Darren Kyle Hussey (38), with an address of Boa Island Road, Belleek, was stopped driving a Hyundai car on the Boa Island Road at around 8.25pm on March 19.

Checks showed there was no insurance in place, and when Hussey was asked for his details, he gave a false name.

Hussey was banned from driving and was also living out of his car. A smell of cannabis was also detected and a grinder with cannabis in it was seized, Enniskillen Magistrates Court heard on Monday.

In interview, Hussey made full admissions to all offences and admitted he knew he was disqualified.

Hussey’s barrister, Ciaran Roddy, told the court it was a difficult defence to make as Hussey had committed the offences after he had received a suspended sentence in October, 2022, for separate offences.

He said the offences placed Hussey in breach of the suspended sentence in what was a “pointless journey”.

‘Temptation’

Mr. Roddy said the fact his client was living in his car, and had nowhere else to go, he felt the “temptation” to drive at this particular time.

Referring to the pre-sentence report, Mr. Roddy said Hussey did not have his sorrows to seek but pointed to the support he has been given since by his employer to help him get on with his life.

District Judge Alana McSorley told Hussey the court had concerns that these offences were committed while a suspended sentence was in place, and the disregard shown for a court order.

However, she added that this was the first time in his life that Hussey had some stability and support.

Judge McSorley felt a probation order would be of benefit to Hussey, but warned him a breach of it would be taken seriously and he could go to court.

For driving while disqualified, having no insurance and possession of a Class-B drug, Hussey was given a two-year probation order and disqualified from driving for two years.