Judge asks if Laois man more interested in holiday or driving licence

A judge asked whether a man was more interested in going on holidays or keeping his driving licence.

Edward Hogan (41) of Kyledellig, Rathdowney is accused of driving without insurance on the N80 at Maryborough, Portlaoise, on July 30, 2025.

Anne Doyle BL told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that her client was a healthcare worker and wasn’t present at the court as he was in Dubrovnik.

“There was a plea of guilty noted on the last day,” she said. She explained that her client’s father had been very unwell at that time and had since died. “He was under an awful lot of stress at the time,” she said.

“Is he more interested in going on holidays than keeping his licence?” asked Judge Andrew Cody.

Ms Doyle said “I don’t think it is a holiday”. She said, “he is a gentleman that does require his licence for work.”

Judge Cody asked if she wanted to put the case back and whether it was going to be a “hattrick” of no appearances from the defendant.

He adjourned the case to Portlaoise District Court on May 21 and said the defendant must attend on that date.