Offaly man was living in uninsured car with four bald tyres when stopped by gardai

An Offaly man who was living in his car had four bald tyres and no insurance when stopped in Laois. 

David Walsh (46) of Ballyshiel, Belmont, Co Offaly was stopped at Graigue, Mountmellick on September 29, 2023. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was stopped driving a Ford Mondeo. There was no insurance, tax or NCT on the car and the four tyres were bald, he said. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said “he had a licence and it was lost and he has to engage with the NDLS.” He said his client’s current mental health state is not good. 

“He was basically living in this particular car,” he said. 

Mr Fitzgerald said the man had been promised some work and was travelling to Belmont to cut some timber when he was stopped. 

He described him as “a man who fell on hard times” and said the defendant accepts his wrongdoing. He said he is now living with his parents. 

Judge Andrew Cody disqualified the man from driving for two years and fined the man €300 for not having insurance. He fined him a further €300 for the tyres, €300 for the NCT and €300 for not having tax.