Man passes driver theory test despite illiteracy

Man passes driver theory test despite illiteracy


A Traveller who cannot read or write practiced every night for two months in order to pass his driver theory test and get his provisional driving license, a court was told last week.
Charles Ward of 67, McHale Road, Castlebar was before Castlebar District Court last week charged with driving without insurance on two separate occasions in May. However the court was told that he was only on the road on these occasions because he was learning to drive.
His solicitor, Lynda Leneghan, told the court that he was, at the time of those offences, preparing to sit his driver test, despite being unable to read or write. Despite this he managed to pass his test.
“You can’t read or write but you passed the test, how did you do this?,” asked Judge Mary Devins.
“I practiced in front of the computer every night for two months and I passed, first time too,” said a clearly proud Ward.
Ward had been apprehended on May 5 at Breaffy, Castlebar and on May 7 at Springfield, Castlebar. On both occasions he was driving whilst uninsured and without a driving license.
Lynda Leneghan said her client had only moved to Castlebar in recent months after living most of his life in England. He has two brothers with learning and health difficulties and Ward was learning to drive so he could provide assistance, the court was told.
He was most anxious to be of assistance to his brothers in any way he could because of their learning and health difficulties. being able to drive would help.
Inspector Martin Byrne, prosecuting, said Ward was clearly ‘an intelligent man’ but he should be intelligent enough to know that he cannot drive without insurance.
Judge Mary Devins said she would not impose a disqualification. Ward was convicted and fiend a total of €975. Judge Devins warned Ward that if he appeared before her again for driving without insurance, he would be disqualified and could be sent to jail.