Judge decides against driving ban for Garda hopeful caught driving without insurance in the Midlands

An Irish Prison Service employee who wants to join the gardaí admitted driving without insurance in Laois. 

Christopher Gary Doolan (31) of Belclare Avenue, Poppintree, Ballymun, Dublin 11 was stopped on the M7 at Morrette on November 7, 2024. 

Garda Ross Foy said he stopped the 11 D registered Ford Focus on the date in question. He said the NCT was out in August 2023 and the insurance was out in March 2024. “In fairness he passed the roadside drug test,” said Garda Foy who had made a lawful demand for the production of insurance. 

Anne Doyle BL said her client was pleading guilty. She said he had a work commitment in Portlaoise on the date in question. “He instructs me that he took a stupid risk and he was caught for it,” she said. Ms Doyle told the court her client relies on his driving licence. 

She said he was an employee of the Irish Prison Service and was 'applying to be a member of An Garda Siochana'. She said he was extremely remorseful and extremely apologetic. 

Judge Susan Fay said she wouldn’t impose a disqualification on this occasion. She convicted and fined the man €700 for having no insurance and €200 for not having an NCT.