Fines imposed on Kildare town man over road traffic offences

A number of fines were imposed on a Kildare town resident in relation to road traffic offences.

David Mark Graham Simmonson, with an address listed as Fennor Lawns in Kildare town, was convicted of the offences by Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court on Thursday, October 10 last.

Gardaí told the court that the 32-year-old was stopped on the R405 at Monasterevin on September 29, 2020 by a Garda Sergeant.

It was found that Mr Simmonson had been driving without NCT, without L-plates and without a driver’s licence.

Then, on March 23, 2021, Mr Simmonson was again stopped by gardaí, this time at French Furze in County Kildare, where he failed to produce a driver’s licence and insurance.

The court was told that Mr Simmonson has nine previous convictions, eight of which relate to road traffic offences, including one for driving without insurance and one for dangerous driving.

It was heard that Mr Simmonson had been disqualified from driving in the past due to the dangerous driving offence (however, the court was told that he was not disqualified at the time of the aforementioned 2020 and 2021 offences).

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DEFENCE

Defending barrister Aisling Murphy said that her client had previously been in rehab 'and has come out the other side.'

She added that her client is currently in employment.

Ms Murphy also asked Judge Zaidan to 'take the no NCT and no tax offences for what they are, and to impose fines.'

"He [Mr Simmonson] abides by disqualifications imposed by the courts," she told the judge.

After consideration, Judge Zaidan imposed a number of fines on Mr Simmonson: for the 2020 offences, he fined Mr Simmonson approximately €500 (€200 plus €100 plus €100 plus €100), which is to be paid within three months.

For the driving with no insurance offence, he imposed another €500 fine, to be paid within three months, in addition to a four-year driving disqualification.

Lastly, for the no licence offence, Judge Zaidan imposed another €500 fine, which is to be paid within three months.