Farmer and employee before Laois court over unroadworthy cattle-kicked van

A farmer and farm worker appeared in court in connection with the use of an unroadworthy van. 

Peter Kavanagh (71) of Kildangan Lodge, Kildangan, Monastervin was accused of allowing the use of a vehicle without a certificate of roadworthiness on the R445 at Clogheen, Monasterevin on September 29, 2025. 

Sandro Santos (36) of 24 The Glen, Kilnacourt Woods, Portalington, Laois was accused of using a vehicle without a certificate of roadworthiness on the R445 at Clogheen, Monastervin on September 29, 2025. 

Garda Inspector Barry Houlihan said the driver was stopped and the certificate of roadworthiness was found to be expired. The van was registered to Mr Kavanagh and Mr Santos was driving, he explained. Inspector Houlihan said Mr Kavanagh had no previous convictions and Mr  Santos had one previous conviction. 

Solicitor Philip Meagher said the Opel Combi van was 15 years old and was “used for running between fields” not on the open road. The van had been “getting kicks from cattle” and had been in the process of getting repairs with a view to getting a certificate. 

Mr Meagher said the van “was being used like a workhorse on the farm” and there was one portion of the farm located in Ballybrittas, which is removed from the rest. He told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the  van was insured and taxed but the certificate of roadworthiness had expired.

He said the normal vehicle that was used to service the land in Ballybrittas wasn’t available on the date in question and the van was taken instead. 

Mr Meagher said Mr Santos is a Brazilian national who has been working on the farm for a number of years. He said Mr Kavanagh blames himself for the incident and he said the van had been getting some work done but due to the nature of its use “it was getting kicks from cattle” on the farm. 

Judge Andrew Cody said he would give Mr Kavanagh “another kick” as he fined him €1,500. He fined Mr Santos €100 and fixed recognisance in case of appeal.