Jail sentence for disqualified driver caught behind the wheel in Laois  

A jail sentence was handed down to a man who a judge said was “ignoring” previous driving disqualifications. 

Petr Cermak, 32, of 88 Hawthorn Way, Esker Hills, Portlaoise was stopped on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise driving a BMW 5 Series while disqualified on March 5, 2024. He was charged with having no licence or insurance.  

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant had nine previous convictions and had been disqualified from driving on five previous occasions.

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client had borrowed some tools and was returning them when he was stopped. She said as often is the case, the people who would suffer most from his incarceration are not the defendants but their families.

Judge Nicola Andrews said “he seems to be just completely ignoring the court.” 

“What you are saying to me is let him keep going,” she said. 

She said the defendant was not listening to the court and that his actions had an impact on other insured drivers. 

“His actions have consequences for his family and dependents who he is absolutely ignoring with his behaviour,” said Judge Andrews. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said she wasn’t in a position to disagree with the judge. 

“There is very little I can offer in this indefensible position,” she conceded. 

She said her client is pleading guilty at an early stage and wasn’t intoxicated when stopped. The man is supporting his family and parents and is a Czech national, she said. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client felt he was providing for his family by borrowing tools to carry out work on his house, she said. 

Judge Andrews said her hands were tied in relation to the case. 

“I have an obligation to protect other road users,” she said. 

She jailed the man for three months, fined him €500 and banned him from driving for six years. Recognisance was fixed in case of appeal and the defendant appealed the case before the court sitting ended.