A UKRAINIAN man with a family of 12 has avoided losing his driving licence for having no insurance, but the move came with a caveat from a judge.
Fedir Tyrpak (40), formerly of Carnasaul, Termon, but now with an address of Donegal Wild Atlantic, Dungloe, was charged with having no insurance on June 3, 2025 at Keenaghan, Kilmacrennan.
Sergeant Jim Collins told the court how on the day in question gardaí observed the defendant on the N56. The ANPR system showed that he had no insurance on the vehicle he was driving.
Solicitor Donough Cleary told the court that his client is a Ukrainian man who has been here for seven months.
“He has a family of 12. He is anxious to get insurance. He doesn’t have a car at the moment. He lives in quite a rural area. He has no previous convictions.”
Mr Cleary made an application to Judge Emile Daly to use her discretion in the matter. Judge Daly said she would assign her discretion because of family circumstances. But, she warned that the matter was significant.
“Not having insurance is a serious matter and people coming into the country need to realise that. I accept that he is a social welfare recipient,” she said.
Judge Daly asked about Tyrpak’s potential of work. Responding, Mr Cleary said: “It’s very limited. It will be confined to manual work.”
She handed down Tyrpak a fine of €450 and gave him five months to pay.
