Dublin: A District Court has dismissed a case against an Indian national charged with driving without insurance after accepting that he acted under pressure from his employer and feared losing his job and visa status.
Amu Pushpan (27), of Gandon Hall, Gardiner Street, Dublin 1, appeared before Bray District Court charged with driving without insurance. He pleaded not guilty, telling the court that he had been compelled to drive by his employer despite lacking insurance and experience driving in Ireland.
Mr Pushpan, who was in Ireland on a student visa, was employed in the human resources department of Kare Plus, a South Dublin–based care company. The court heard that he had been instructed to drive colleagues to Greystones as part of his work duties. During a Garda check, he was unable to produce a valid Irish driving licence or proof of insurance.
Mr Pushpan told the court that he had raised concerns with his employer, stating that he was neither insured nor confident driving in Ireland. However, he alleged that company officials insisted he drive, warning him that refusal could jeopardise his job and, by extension, his visa status.
His solicitor argued that, as a migrant worker on a study visa, Mr Pushpan did not enjoy the same freedom to refuse an employer’s instruction as an Irish citizen. The defence was supported by a witness who was present during the exchange between Mr Pushpan and company representatives and was prepared to testify in court.
A Garda witness also acknowledged the distinction between an individual choosing to commit an offence and acting under coercion to retain employment. On that basis, the court accepted Mr Pushpan’s explanation and dismissed the charge.
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