Where a person is guilty of an offence under any section or subsection of a section of the Road Traffic Acts, 1961 to 1994 and, apart from this section and disregarding any disqualification that may be capable of being imposed, no penalty is provided for the offence, such person shall be liable on summary conviction -

(a) in the case of a first offence under that section or subsection to a fine not exceeding €1,000,

(b) in the case of a second offence under that section or subsection, or of a third or subsequent such offence other than an offence referred to in the next paragraph to a fine not exceeding €2,000, and

(c) in the case of a third or subsequent offence under that section or subsection which is the third or subsequent such offence in any period of twelve consecutive months to a fine not exceeding €2,000 or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding three months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.