Man caught driving with fake registration plates and stolen wheel clamp remanded in custody

Tom Tuite

A Co Fermanagh contractor caught driving around Dublin with fake registration plates and an allegedly stolen wheel clamp “sitting beside him” has been remanded in custody.

Eugene Wynne, 45, with an address at Teemore Road, Derrylin, Enniskillen, appeared at Dublin District Court on Saturday.

The father of three faces two counts of fraudulent use of a vehicle registration plate, criminal damage to a Dublin City Council wheel clamp, and possessing it as stolen property.

He is also accused of driving without insurance, a licence, road tax or an NCT certificate, at Pearse Street, Dublin 2, on November 21st.

Garda Gareth Mitchell objected to bail, telling Judge Michele Finan was observed driving on a public road bearing false front and back registration plates.

He could not provide any documentation for himself and the vehicle, and “sitting beside him in the front passenger wheel arch was a damaged, stolen Dublin city council clamp”.

A check of the licence plate number showed no matches, and further inspection revealed that the van was Irish-registered but had no tax, insurance, or NCT.

The court heard there was body-cam footage, but it was not shown in court.

The garda feared that if released, he would likely fail to appear in court and was a flight risk because he resided outside the jurisdiction.

Defence solicitor Paul Kelly told Judge Finan the accused lived at the same address for 21 years and was currently working in Dublin.

The solicitor said he had been instructed that the van belonged to someone else, and the court heard it was registered to a company in Co. Cavan.

Mr Wynne, who has yet to enter a plea, deferred the bail application and was held to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday.