When I arrived at the courthouse. Summons in my pocket, I sought out the Garda who on a distant summers day stopped me at a checkpoint where i had no NCT disc on my windscreen. Told him I was present and at the mercy of the proceedings. He told me I would be called and would only get a €150 fine and no conviction.
I entered the crowded seated area and engaged the chap beside me in conversation to discover he had several prison terms behind him was now crime free for a number of years and was appearing on a minor traffic offence. I assured him at least he neednt worry about prison this time. A reporter who knew of my headlining community work smiled from the press gallery as she took a second look to confirm it was really me among the motley gathering of gardai, lawyers and defendants.
My Garda looked at me and beckoned me to follow him to the dock. He told the judge he puulled me in at a checkpoint. I admitted I had no NCT and he charged me thus.
The Judge looked at me and asked me how I was pleading. I said in a trembling voice “Guilty”. He asked me for an explanation failing to have my car with a NCT. I said It was because I was not advised beforehand that my test was due for renewal. I did not realise the disc had expired. As the NCT previously advised me in advance of the expiry date, I decided to call to see them when I drove into the checkpoint.
The Judge said he had been in a similar situation to discover his disc had also expired because they had discontinued their policy advising car owners beforehand. He was therefore dismissing the charges against me.
I walked through the crowded court passing the press gallery to the door gobsmacked at hitting the jackpot in contrast to the terror stricken panic as I approached the bench. I mused on the saying that everyone is entitled to their day in court
