Prison sentence for uninsured Offaly driver who 'was collecting the last bits from the bog'

A Birr man was sentenced to prison and disqualified from driving when he appeared on a summons for driving without insurance, licence, or a certificate of road worthiness. He was also accused of careless driving.

Kevin Doyle, Breaghmore, Clareen, Birr, was stopped by Garda Christopher Campbell on August 2, 2024 at Lackaroe, Kinnitty, towing a trailer of turf.

He had 11 previous convictions a number of them were for road traffic offences, drink driving and firearms offences. He had also been disqualified previously.

Solicitor Patrick Martin said Mr Doyle was collecting the last bits from the bog on the day in question. He was 41 and had two autistic children. His record is not very good, he admitted. He earns €600 per week. There was no speed involved, said Mr Martin.

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Judge Andrew Cody imposed a fine of €500 for driving without a certificate of road worthiness, €500 for driving without a licence. He imposed a sentence of three months for driving without insurance and disqualified him from driving for 6 years. For careless driving he imposed a three month sentence and disqualified him for three months.

He fixed recognisance to allow Mr Doyle to appeal the sentence.

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