A PENSIONER involved in a single vehicle collision turned out not to have insurance or a driving licence, Skibbereen District Court heard. 

Michael Matthews (70), of Knockskeagh, Leap, pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, driving without a driving licence and failing to produce a licence and insurance and for driving without road tax. 

The court heard that at 10.50pm on August 18th  last gardaí attended the scene of a single-vehicle collision at Collenagh, Skibbereen. 

On arrival at the scene they asked the accused for his driving documents including insurance and driving licence but he did not have them.

On September 3rd, he admitted to gardaí that he had no driving licence or insurance.

Defence solicitor Colette McCarthy said her client was a pensioner who had a driving licence until the age of 69. 

She said he had been in a relationship with a woman until recently who had looked after such matters for him.

The court heard that Mr Matthews lost his house in a fire and was now living in a mobile home on his land.

Ms McCarthy said he has not driven since the incident but would like to drive because he lives in a remote area. 

Judge Joanne Carroll convicted and fined him a total of €250 for both offences and gave him four months to pay the fine.

She struck out the charges of failing to produce a driving licence, failing to produce insurance and for having no road tax.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.