Showjumper 'surprised' to hear he was banned when speeding near Offaly border

A SHOWJUMPER was disqualified from driving when he was detected speeding on the Dublin-Galway motorway, Tullamore District Court heard.

Sven Joseph Hadley (31), Moycola House, Craughwell, Galway admitted speeding and driving without insurance or a licence on the M6 at Rathgarrett, Tyrrellspass on August 4 last year.

Mr Hadley appeared before Judge Andrew Cody and guilty pleas were entered by defending solicitor Patrick Martin.

Sergeant Richard Thornton said Mr Hadley was driving a 2021 Dublin registered grey Land Rover at 150km/h and subsequently failed to produce a licence.

Sergeant Thornton said the man was on a penalty points disqualification at the time following a conviction on March 10, 2025 for driving while holding a mobile phone.

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Judge Cody was told he had 10 previous convictions for road traffic offences including one for driving without reasonable consideration for other road users.

Mr Martin said Mr Hadley had no convictions for driving without insurance or a licence and was an international showjumper who spent a lot of time on the road and out of the country.

Sergeant Thornton agreed with Mr Martin that the accused had been surprised to hear that he had accumulated penalty points.

Mr Martin asked Judge Cody not to disqualify his client, a single man, from driving, saying he had an insurance policy.

“He'll be much more careful,” said the solicitor.

Judge Cody said that among Mr Hadley's previous convictions were two for driving while holding a mobile phone.

He imposed fines of €500 each for the driving licence and speeding offences and €750 for uninsured driving.

The judge also imposed two two-year disqualifications from driving, saying of Mr Hadley: “He's the author of his own misfortune.”

Recognisances were fixed for an appeal.