Banned taxi driver is jailed for six monthsA taxi man who drove himself to court despite being banned from driving and has been called a 'maniac' by a judge has been sentenced to six months in prison.
Morfu Animashaun (47) has also been banned from driving for five years for a number of motoring offences, including driving while disqualified and dangerous driving.
Animashaun was initially offered community service work in lieu of a prison sentence and after he was deemed suitable by the Probation Services, he told Judge Flann Brennan 'I cannot take that judgement,' as he is adamant he was not driving while disqualified.
Animashaun, of Limetree Avenue, Termon Abbey in Drogheda claimed he 'has evidence' that he was not disqualified back in November 2014 to which Judge Brennan told him 'You don't listen. You were disqualified and I am warning you if you drive again while disqualified you will be brought back here again.'
'You don't seem to understand what being disqualified means,' said Judge Brennan.
Previously, the court heard Aminashaun, who was a taxi driver, was caught driving in a dangerous manner as he drove the wrong way around a roundabout and up a one way street at 144kph on April 17 at Platin Road in Drogheda while disqualified on his way to court for another driving offence.
Morofu, who has 62 previous convictions for driving offences including seven for driving without insurance, claimed he wasn't disqualified from driving at the time as he 'did not receive any written evidence' from the court.
However, after Inspector Brendan Cadden asked him if he was in court on the day he received the disqualification, he conceded he was handed the disqualification and had lodged an appeal.
Insp Cadden told him: 'The reality is you were disqualified from driving on the date you were in court.'
Judge Flann Brennan said he does not have any doubt about the garda's evidence and convicted him of the driving offences.
Judge Brennan told Morfu 'You are a maniac who thinks he has a God given right to drive," noting Morofu's 'appalling record.'
'It is a vagrant act of defiance and you should look for alternative employment as the last thing you are suitable for is taxi driving,' said Judge Brennan.
After Judge Brennan imposed the default order of six months in prison in lieu of 200 hours community service work because the defendant refused to complete the order, Animashaun said this will affect his job as a taxi driver to which Judge Brennan told him 'You aren't a taxi driver, you are a disqualified driver.'
The defendant replied: 'Yes, unfairly,' and immediately lodged recognisances as he has appealed the sentencing.
Drogheda Independent
http://www.independent.ie/regionals/dro ... 29405.html
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