DERRY footballer James McClean has been fined and given penalty points after he admitted driving with no insurance or licence.
McClean (30) of Victoria Gate in Derry had his case dealt with at the city's magistrate's court today.
The court was told that following a damage only accident on Victoria Road on June 28 last year police did not attend as there were no injuries.
However, as police inquiries into the accident continued they discovered that McClean had no insurance and that he had not re-applied for his licence after being disqualified in 2015.
McClean made full admissions when interviewed about the offences.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that his client had just bought the vehicle and had insurance on his previous vehicle.
He said the accident was not his fault and he apologised for the offences.
Mr MacDermott said McClean was "a fine ambassador for the city" and engaged in a lot of charity work.
He said he was "mortified to be in this position".
District Judge Barney McElholm said there was a school of thought that believed fines should be heavier for those on higher incomes but in this case he did not believe in that having read about the footballer's work with local charities.
McClean was fined a total of £300 and given six penalty points.
