DUBLIN: The revenue commissioners have been successful at Dundalk court in getting an order for the forfeiture and condemnation of an unregistered vehicle.
Opposing the application was Norman Leason, The Old Farmhouse, Commons, Dromiskin, owner of the car which was seized by customs officers on 10 June, 2014.
Judge Brennan heard the vehicle was registered in Scotland, and had an estimated value of €2,000.
Fiach Brabazon, a customs and excise officer, said he stopped a jeep on 10 June, 2014, which was being driven by Mr Leason’s son, Graham.
Mr Leason Jnr handed over the keys, but not the immobilizer device. The vehicle was ultimately towed.
Graham Leason, called to the witness box by his father, who represented himself, said he was in Darver credit union car-park when four customs officers approached.
No one showed him any ID, and he said he was told he would be let off with a €200 fine, but he didn’t have the money on him.
Cross-examined by state solicitor, Fergus Mullen, he said the car, the subject of this application, ‘is owned by me, it’s my father’s car.’
His father has two addresses, one in Scotland and one here.
Mr Mullen put it to him he paid a compromise fine before on an unregistered vehicle, and is well aware of what the law is.
Norman Leason read out a statement in which he alleged the make and model of the vehicle is not correct on the summons and that the vehicle is registered in his son’s name, among other points.
Mr Leason raised further issues, but was interrupted by Judge Brennan who said he would not listen to a political speech. Many of the points were not appropriate for this forum.
