Uninsured man gave brother’s name when stopped in Laois

A man who was hauling livestock admitted having no licence, tax, insurance and gave his brother’s name when stopped by Gardaí. 

Patrick McCabe (47) of The Orchard, Moneygall, Co Offaly,  pleaded guilty to driving without a licence, insurance and failing to provide tachograph information at Tintore, Ballacolla on November 27, 2025. He also admitted giving a false name and address. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the defendant was stopped driving a Scania Tipper at Ballacolla on November 27 last at 9.40pm. 

He explained that the man claimed to have no identification and “falsely gave details of his brother” but it transpired the man was on a learner permit that expired 20 years earlier.  He said the man had 26 previous convictions. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was pleading guilty and was in court with his employer, Mr Abbott, who deals in livestock haulage. 

“There was an issue in the yard on this particular day and he had to drive the vehicle,” said Mr Fitzgerald.

He said the employer gave his client “jobs to keep him going. He was living something of a destitute life” and he said “a significant lesson” has been learned as a result of the incident.

Judge Andrew Cody sentenced the man  to one month suspended for two years, fined him a total of €600 and disqualified him from driving for two years.