Fr David Vard, PP of Stradbally, Vicarstown Timahoe Parish
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28 Nov 2025
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28 Nov 2025
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Laois Gardaí have arrested a lorry driver in Ballacolla for several concerning road offences.
Laois Roads Policing Unit conducted a routine HGV weight check operation in Ballacolla on Thursday, November 27.
One Scania stood out for all the wrong reasons.
"What we uncovered wasn’t a minor oversight. It was a full breakdown in road safety standards," Laois Gardaí said.
The truck was overweight with stone and uninsured. The lorry had no tax and was not insured.
"The truck was never taxed and had no CVRT for over a decade. No Tachograph in use. Driver never held a truck category driving licence," Gardaí said.
The driver was driving on a learner permit licence that expired over 20 years ago.
"False details were given to Gardaí, with an active bench warrant for the driver. When a HGV is unroadworthy and the person behind the wheel is unqualified, the danger isn’t hypothetical, it’s immediate, and it’s severe," they said.
"An overloaded truck affects braking, stability and steering. A driver without the proper licence or training cannot safely handle those risks. This is exactly why truck safety checks are carried out. This stop prevented a serious incident before it happened," Gardaí finished.
The vehicle was seized by Gardaí, and the driver was arrested and brought before Portlaoise District Court.
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