Laois GAA coach fined €1,000 for motoring offences

A man involved in the management and coaching of the Laois minor ladies GAA football squad and a player with O’Dempsey’s GAA club appeared at Portlaoise District Court on motoring offences.

Pádraig Bannon, Lea, Portarlington was summoned before the court for driving without a licence and without insurance when stopped by gardaí at Cooltederry, Portarlington on 26 September last year. He pleaded guilty to the offences.

The court was told that Mr Bannon had no previous convictions.

Defending barrister Anne Doyle said that her 33-year-old client, who works as an operations supervisor, had just taken the car out to go to the shops when he was stopped by gardaí.

READ NEXT: 'Mopping the floor and the pipe is still leaking' - spotlight on cost of Laois doctor shortage

The court heard that there had been insurance cover on the car, which was taken out on 21 March but had expired on 6 May last year.

Judge Andrew Cody noted there had been no insurance cover on the car for four months when gardaí stopped Mr Bannon driving on the day.

Asked to explain why this was the case, Ms Doyle said: “At the time, he was in financial difficulty. He was out of work. It was due to financial constraints.” Judge Cody convicted Mr Bannon of both offences, fining him €750 for having no insurance and €250 for driving without a licence.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.