INSURANCE NEWS ARTICLE - 2024


247 Convictions and Counting...

MCE Insurance

When calculating insurance risks a number of factors inevitably come into play; a predominant one being previous convictions, for example a speeding fine or use of a mobile phone whilst driving. Everyone is human, and everyone inevitably makes mistakes, however surely we can all agree 247 convictions seems a little excessive?

Repeat offender Patrick Cotter of Cork, Ireland avoided jail earlier this month after he was caught driving up a motorway in the wrong direction. Judge Patrick Durcan, who was overseeing the trial said, that instead of venturing out Cotter should "just watch the television from now on". This latest offence broke his driving ban of 30 years, which was issued for another offence in 2012.

The Judge went on to state that this was: "the worst driving case I have come across", when analysing Mr Cotters previous convictions. These include 23 drink-driving convictions, 26 cases for driving without insurance, 9 hit and runs, 5 careless driving offences and 2 convictions for dangerous driving.

Mr Cotter received a 10 month suspended prison term for his latest offence, as well as an additional 10-year driving ban. When caught, the repeat offender was said to be travelling at speeds of 180kph for 16km of the motorway. John Reidy, the Garda in pursuit of him, stated that there were "a number of close calls" with other motorists heading in the correct direction.

Hopefully this will be the last time Cotter is ever in charge of a vehicle; thankfully he won't need any insurance for the next 30-40 years because we doubt it's a risk many insurers would be willing to take.

08.01.2015 - Big Ed

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