Pensioner in the Midlands caught driving while disqualified hit with four year ban

An old age pensioner who was caught driving while banned from driving has been put off the road for four years.

Sixty-nine-year-old Mike Reilly, of Shantum, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, pleaded guilty at last week’s sitting of Longford District Court to having no insurance and driving with no licence following an incident at Teffia Park, Longford on April 25, 2023.

At the outset, the court was told Mr Reilly was disqualified after picking up a two year driving ban in October 2022 for drink driving.

That court order had been deferred to February 1 this year with Mr Reilly also being hit with a €100 fine.

It was revealed the incident took place shortly before 3pm when gardaí noticed a car went through a red light as it turned into Teffia Park.

Gardaí pulled the car in moments later and spoke to the driver, who it was revealed turned out to be the accused, Mr Reilly.
Sgt Mark Mahon said it was discovered at the scene that Mr Reilly was, in fact, disqualified.

In mitigation, defence solicitor Frank Gearty as a “brilliant horseman” and a “genius” when it came to schooling horses.
He said there was a certain level of justification behind Mr Reilly’s decision to get behind the wheel of his car.

“After the disqualification there was a personal turmoil for him,” said Mr Gearty.

“He has a very close relationship with a lady in court and he was moving from Longford. He was moving from a council house to a caravan on her premises.

“Regretfully, he took a chance and as he was moving various items from Longford, he went through a red light.”

Mr Gearty also praised the way in which prosecuting officer Garda Karl McNabola handled the situation in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

“The car was seized by Garda McNabola who treated him so well, he arranged a lift for him,” he said, revealing Mr Reilly had resigned himself to not getting behind the wheel again.

In the midst of continuing his submission to the court, Mr Gearty left the courtroom in fits of laughter as he shed further light as to Mr Reilly’s expertise in managing different varieties of animals.

“He was a brilliant horseman, a genius and had an extraordinary ability to manage horses,” he said, revealing he also was the owner of two donkeys.

“I am not suggesting he came in (to court) with a donkey and he said to me he absolutely won’t be driving again and is happy out in his caravan.

“He also had three rabbits on the property, that’s the good news. The bad news is there is one male and two females.”

Judge Bernadette Owens interjected at that point by politely telling Mr Gearty: “We don’t need to go there.”

It was an exchange that left many of those sitting in the public gallery struggling to hold back laughter, as Judge Owens proceeded to give her judgement.

On the no insurance charge, she fined Mr Reilly €300 and disqualified him from driving for four years.