Man who was told legal aid was unavailable pleads guilty at Portlaoise District Court

A man who was unable to access legal aid due to an ongoing dispute admitted driving without insurance in Laois.

Pawel Adam Kowalski(38) of 27 Boughlone Way, Bellingham, Portlaoise, appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court. He was accused of driving without insurance on the Abbeyleix Road at Meelick on January 25, 2026.

Judge Susan Fay explained to the man that solicitors in the court were withdrawing their services due to a dispute. She asked if he was working and he said he was in the process of looking for work.

“I want you to be careful what you say to me,” Judge Fay said to the man. “I don’t want you to compromise yourself,” she explained.

“I do believe even with legal representation I have to plead guilty. I didn’t know about the insurance, I was insured on another vehicle,” the man told Judge Fay.

She told him that it was his decision on whether or not to go ahead with the case. The man said he wanted to proceed.

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Garda Michael Kenneally gave evidence of stopping the defendant who was driving a silver Audi A6. He said the insurance disc had expired on December 13, 2025. The man told him he had switched the insurance onto another vehicle. A fine was issued in relation to the out of date disc and it was paid but the man didn’t produce proof of insurance, said Garda Kenneally. The man had been cooperative and had no previous convictions, he added.

Judge Fay asked “do you believe that he believed he was insured?” Garda Kenneally replied “I do”.

The man told Judge Fay that he needed his licence for work and that he was starting training as an EV mechanic in September.

Judge Fay fined the man €300 but used her discretion and didn’t impose a disqualification.