South Dublin criminal Martin Foley was today fined €500 after a court heard he was spotted driving a car which he had told gardai was off the road.
Foley (53), Cashel Avenue, Crumlin, Dublin, pleaded guilty to making a false declaration that the 92D car was not in use between June and October of last year.
Sgt Eamonn O'Loughlin, of the Garda Liaison and Protection Unit, said Foley went into Sundrive Road Garda Station on November 23rd last and signed a declaration stating the vehicle was off the road.
However, Sgt. O'Loughlin said that on the previous July 14th and August 4th, he had observed Foley driving the car.
The court was told he had 55 previous convictions, 40 for road traffic matters, and 11 of those were for either having no tax on his car or non-display of the tax disc. The charges before the court only represented "a sample" of the number of times he was observed driving in the period in question, Sgt. O'Loughlin said.
Judge Gerard Haughton imposed a fine of €200 for the false declaration and €300 for the non-display offences.