The court was told that police on duty at Feglish Road in Irvinestown on April 16th last stopped a red  Citroen Berlingo van being driven by Jordan O’Hagan of Sally’s Wood in the town. Police discovered that O’Hagan had no insurance to drive the vehicle and that he was a provisional licence holder who was driving unaccompanied and with no L-plates displayed. After further enquries by police, it was found that O’Hagan had taken the keys of the vehicle, which belonged to his friend’s father, without permission. He was charged with taking a motor vehicle without authority, no insurance, being an unaccompanied L driver and having No L plates displayed. 

Defence solicitor Tommy Owens said his client had been asked by his friend to drive the van one mile out the road to a local garage and the van would be driven back by his friend who has having his car repaired there.   

Mr Owens said it had been a case of his client doing a favour for his friend but acknowledged that O’Hagan had taken the vehicle without consent. 

Giving credit for O’Hagan’s early plea and clear record, Judge Nigel Broderick told O’Hagan he shouldn’t have driven the short distance without insurance. 

Judge Broderick gave O’Hagan a 12 month conditional discharge on the unlawful taking charge, meaning if he does not reoffend in the next year he will avoid a criminal conviction. O’Hagan was also fined £200 and disqualified from driving for one month for having no insurance. A further £50 fine was imposed for driving unaccompanied and another £50 for having no L plates displayed.