New Year, same problems! Clare gardaí seize multiple cars near busy town centre

"New Year, same problems" as two Clare motorists ignored their New Year’s resolutions on the first day of 2026.

Clare Gardaí revealed they seized two cars in Ennis and reminded drivers that taking to the roads without proper insurance carries serious consequences.

In a Facebook post a Clare An Garda Siochana spokesperson said: "We had hoped that with the new year people might decide a good resolution was to only drive when insured."

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However this was not the case as, the post outlined that "unfortunately these two drivers in Ennis today didn't."

The post included a photo of the two uninsured vehicles pulled over by gardai, one of which was pulled over outside the Ennis Shopping Centre just outside the town centre.

Gardai confirmed that both vehicles were seized and "the drivers face a court date".

Driving without insurance is a criminal offence in Ireland and can be prosecuted in court. If caught, drivers can face a fine of up to €5,000 and receive five penalty points on their licence. In some cases, a court may impose a prison sentence of up to six months.

A judge may also choose to disqualify a driver from holding a licence instead of issuing penalty points.

Separately, failure to display a valid insurance disc carries an initial fixed charge of €60, which rises to €90 if unpaid after 28 days.