A FATHER who went for a ride with his child on a small scrambler bike he bought in a toy shop has said he couldn't believe it when gardai asked to see his driving licence for the vehicle.
Kevin Kelly (25) said the motorbike, which has a 20cc engine, was so small that it fit into the boot of the squad car.
Kelly, of Kilcarrig Green, Tallaght said he was unaware that under the road traffic legislation that he needed to have insurance for the vehicle also.
He admitted to driving the motorbike without insurance or a driving licence at Suncroft Drive, Tallaght.
Sergeant Michael Leahy told Tallaght District Court that he stopped Kelly shortly after 3pm on April 29 last year.
The sergeant said he asked Kelly to produce his driving licence and insurance at a garda station within 10 days but he refused to nominate a station.
Sgt Leahy also said there was no registration number on the vehicle and Kelly wasn't wearing a safety helmet.
Toy
Defence solicitor Grainne Malone said Kelly was driving a small scrambler bike, a child's bike which can be bought in a toy shop. Kelly's young child was also on the back of the bike when he was stopped by gardai.
Ms Malone said Kelly believed the bike, which he'd bought for his child, didn't count as a normal motor vehicle because it had such a small engine, 20cc or less, and "genuinely thought" it was safe to drive it.
She added that Kelly didn't nominate a garda station to produce his insurance as he simply didn't believe he needed insurance for the vehicle.
The court heard that Kelly, who is on disability and not working, has 18 previous convictions, mostly for road traffic matters.
Ms Malone said Kelly made a genuine mistake, but now accepts he was wrong to ride the bike.
Judge David McHugh fined Kelly €500 and disqualified him from driving for five years.
Source:http://www.herald.ie/national-news/courts/dad-fined-euro
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