A 48-year-old man has been sentenced to five months in prison for driving a tractor while serving a driving disqualification.

Thomas Morrow of Doobally, Ballyshannon, was before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday 19 May charged with driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Superintendent Colm Nevin told the court that Morrow was involved in a road traffic accident while driving his David Brown tractor. He admitted immediately that he did not have insurance.

The superintendent told the court that Morrow had several previous convictions for motoring offences.

The defendant was serving an eight-year disqualification from driving when the incident occurred. This latest conviction is Morrow’s third for driving while disqualified.

He was taking the tractor from his house down to the farm

Defence solicitor Florence Hutchinson said: “He was taking the tractor from his house down to the farm, literally 100 yards away on the back road.

“He knew he was disqualified, knew he shouldn’t have been driving.”

Judge Kevin Kilrane said: “He persists in driving while disqualified. I have no option but to send him to prison.”

Prison

The judge sentenced Morrow to five months in prison for each of the two charges, with sentences to run concurrently. He disqualified the defendant from driving for 10 years.

The defendant has the right to appeal the conviction. Judge Kilrane set recognisance at the Morrow’s own bond of €100 with independent surety of €3,000, of which €1,000 must be lodged.

Siobhan McNamara reports for the Donegal Post.