'His life is more precious than his licence': Cork hurler charged with driving offences

A member of Cork’s senior hurling panel narrowly avoided a driving ban at a recent sitting of Fermoy District Court.

Ben Cunningham, 20, of Fernwood, Doughcloyne, Wilton, Cork appeared before the court charged with driving without insurance and also driving while holding a mobile phone. 

The court heard that Mr Cunningham who was accompanied in court by his parents had accumulated six penalty points and any further points would see him disqualified as a novice driver.

Defence solicitor Breda Fleming explained to the court that there was a mix up with his insurance and that Mr Cunningham deeply regretted what had happened and had learned his lesson. 

She said that he was on a sports scholarship at UCC and was also a member of the Cork senior hurling team. 

She asked the judge to consider applying the Probation Act in this case or adjourning the matter as his current penalty points were due to expire in September.

Judge Colm Roberts said Cork certainly needs good hurlers but another district court judge had been “slapped down” for applying the Probation Act in similar circumstances and it was “not an option.” 

He added: 

“I just don’t understand it, too many parents are buying their children cars and they aren’t old enough to drive them. I didn’t own a car until I was 27 because I couldn’t afford it!” 

The judge said that in the current climate with an increase in road deaths and a significant proportion of them young people it was important that the road safety message was heard.

He said: “The purpose of penalty points is road safety, it’s to keep him and others alive. Your client is between a rock and a hard place and to adjourn this for a year would be perverse.” 

The judge said that he would agree to adjourn the matter until June on the condition that Mr Cunningham undertakes an advanced driving course.

Judge Roberts added: 

“I’ve no interest in making his life more difficult but he needs to understand that his life is more precious than his licence. Drive within the speed limit, leave your phone alone, it might seem important but it isn’t, a car is a privilege and a responsibility.”