In what has been described by a judge as a "daft" idea, a youth who had been disqualified from driving for nine years, has been studying driving theory in a youth project.
The Dublin Children's Court was told that the youth, aged 17, had been banned for nine years because he had been caught driving without a licence or insurance on numerous occasions. The court had also ordered that any licence he should have be endorsed.
He had 11 previous convictions for road traffic offences, breach of public order and assault and had been ordered to take part in a youth project in lieu of a sentence.
However, since he was banned from driving he was caught driving twice without insurance or a licence.
Garda Bernard Connaughton, Blanchardstown Garda station, said that on July 23rd last he stopped the youth who was driving a car and asked to see his licence and certificate of insurance.
He told him he would have 10 days to present them at Blanchardstown Garda station but he did not comply.
The youth had also been stopped six days later and asked to show his licence and insurance certificate.
Again he failed to present them to the gardaí.
Judge Murphy was told the youth had been taking part in a project in the inner city where he had been getting instruction in "driving theory".
Fining the youth €125, the judge sentenced him to 14 days in St Patrick's for driving without a licence or insurance last July.