A man who was driving without van insurance has left a woman driver with an injury after colliding with her car.

The 26-year-old man, Gerard Larkin, of Rathmullan Park, Drogheda, claimed he did not see the woman’s Toyota Corolla as he drove from a builder’s providers onto the Ballymakenny Road.

Facing charges of careless driving on August 20, 2007, the man also admitted driving the van without valid insurance.

Larkin told the court he was on social welfare but eventually set up his own business and had three people working for him.

He said he thought he was insured and had a monthly standing order to pay insurance but because he was on social benefit he could not always meet the insurance premium payment.

Meanwhile, the driver of the other car was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital after the crash.

Her son who was in the car with her at the time of the crash was said to have sustained no injury but she reportedly suffered a shoulder injury. Her car was also written off.