Limerick man gets 50-year driving ban for motoring offences
The judge imposed a €1,000 cash lodgement bond, and commented that given the man was driving a Mercedes and Audi, the payment won’t be difficult
A MAN who took €10 from a pharmacy and committed a series of road traffic offences has been disqualified from driving for 50 years.
Frederick Walters, 39, of Kileely Road, Kileely, Limerick, appeared before Limerick District Court for a number of road traffic matters, and a Section 4 theft offence arising from an incident at O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy on September 28, 2022.
Prosecuting Sergeant Aisling O’Neill told the court that Mr Walters entered the pharmacy on Sarsfield Street on a busy Wednesday afternoon and purchased two boxes of earbuds using a €10 note. He then claimed he had handed over a €20 note.
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In an effort to avoid confrontation while the shop was busy, the pharmacist handed him an additional €10. CCTV footage of the incident was later reviewed by gardaí.
The court also heard details of several road traffic offences committed by Mr Walters.
On April 5, 2023, gardaí stopped a white Audi on Island Road in Limerick City. Mr Walters was found to be disqualified from driving. The man was driving with no insurance or driving licence, and refused to provide an oral fluid sample for gardaí. He was arrested and later provided a blood specimen.
A further incident involved Mr Walters being stopped by gardaí and asked to produce his driving licence on July 8, 2023. Gardaí again discovered he was disqualified from driving. He failed to produce the required documents and the vehicle was seized.
On another charge, Sergeant O’Neill outlined that gardaí attempted to stop Mr Walters driving in a white Mercedes Benz on Bloodmill Road, Singland, on March 7, 2025.
Mr Walters failed to stop when the garda turned on the emergency lights, and drove dangerously through the area near the Limerick One Shopping Centre and Planet Fitness, mounting a curb. Mr Walters fled the scene on foot. Gardaí then seized the vehicle.
Barrister-in-Law Joseph McMahon said his client wished to apologise to the court. He said Walters was addicted to heroin but is now in recovery.
“That’s where we are, judge, we apologise,” Mr McMahon said. The barrister further detailed that Mr Walters is the father of two children.
In sentencing, Judge Patricia Harney disqualified Mr Walters from driving for a total of 50 years for the road traffic offences. The judge further convicted and sentenced Mr Walters to 17 months’ imprisonment. The judge also imposed a €1,000 cash lodgement bond, and commented that given Mr Walters was driving a Mercedes and Audi, the payment won’t be difficult.
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