Driving ban for no insurance appealed at Laois court

A man has appealed a disqualification for driving without insurance in Laois. 

Liam McDonald Healy(20) of Ballyhyland, Portlaoise, pleaded guilty to not having insurance at Main Street, Ballyroan, on February 20, 2025. 

Sgt Jason Hughes said the defendant was stopped by Garda Stephen O’Hanlon on the date in question. He said the man, who was driving a 09KE registered car, had no previous convictions. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client “thought that he had paid the necessary no of installments” but his policy had lapsed. 

“He has secured a job with Irish Rail and hopes to start next month,” she said. 

Judge Andrew Cody asked when the insurance policy had lapsed. 

Sgt Hughes said the policy had lapsed on October 3, 2024. 

“He was driving for six months with no insurance,” said Judge Cody. 

He told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that he would give the benefit to someone but “not when somebody has been driving for six months” uninsured. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said the man had two penalty points and would therefore be disqualified due to an accumulation of points if he was convicted of the offences without being given a driving ban.

However, Judge Cody disqualified him from driving for two years and imposed a €300 fine. He fixed recognisance in case of appeal and the man appealed the sentence before the court sitting had concluded.