Kildare judge says man ‘has bad attitude’ to road traffic laws

A judge in Naas District Court said on Thursday, October 12 last that a man had 'a bad attitude' to road traffic laws.

The comments were made by Judge Desmond Zaidan in relation to one Robert Mills, with an address listed as 6 Lissadel Green, Drimnagh, Dublin 12, County Dublin.

Gardaí told the judge that on May 19, 2022, the 33-year-old was caught driving without a seatbelt on at Maudlins in Naas.

Mr Mills pleaded guilty to this offence.

It was heard that Mr Mills has 40 previous convictions, including one for a drink-driving offence and seven for driving with no insurance.

After being told about these convictions by gardaí, Judge Zaidan remarked to defending solicitor Mark Gibbons: "Your client has  a bad attitude to road traffic laws."

Mr Gibbons replied: "He had a bad one in the past."

"In his recent past... the last offence was in 2022," the judge responded.

Speaking directly to Mr Gibbons and Mr Mills, Judge Zaidan warned how dangerous driving without a seatbelt on can be: "He could have hit something and gone flying through the window.

"Seatbelts save lives," he added.

Judge Zaidan further said that Mr Mills has 'an appalling record.'

Mr Gibbons asked the judge not to disqualify his client, as he needs it for his job.

The judge decided to fine Mr Mills €500, which is to paid within two months.

However, when Judge Zaidan was told by gardaí that Mr Mills' accumulative penalty points would result in a driving disqualification, he said that he had to, by law, impose a disqualification on him.

Mr Gibbons suggested to the judge that his client could be disqualified for solely one day, which the judge agreed to do.

The disqualification would take place 15 days from Mr Mills' conviction.