Donegal District Court: Derry man fined €400 for holding a mobile phone while driving

A defendant who claimed his solicitor had not come to court was ordered to ring them and tell them the case was going ahead.

Stephen Ryan, 55, of 119 Creggan Road, Derry admitted holding a mobile phone while driving.

The offence was detected on the N15 at Drumlonagher, Donegal Town on October 28, 2021.

Judge Vincent Deane sitting at Donegal District Court on Monday said the Derry solicitor’s failure to attend court in Donegal Town would not mean that it would be further adjourned.

The judge told Ryan: “Ring your solicitor and tell them this matter is going on today. This is the third time it was in for hearing and the legal representative hasn’t turned up.

“This case is going on.”

The judge put the matter back to later in the day to allow the defendant time to have his solicitor present.

When the hearing resumed, the court heard that gardaí had observed Ryan driving while holding a mobile phone on the date in question.

Ryan had a number of previous convictions for dangerous driving for which he had been disqualified, and for speeding and driving without a licence.

Judge Deane imposed a fine of €400.