Judge tells man 'you’ll get a bad back from me' in Limerick court

A MAN has received a ten year driving ban for road traffic offences on the outskirts of Limerick.

Paul Ahern, aged 28, of Claughan Court, Garryowen, Limerick, crashed his car into the entrance of a quarry at Ballycar, Ardnacrusha, County Clare on January 21, 2026.

Prosecuting Sergeant Denis Waters told Limerick District Court that Mr Ahern admitted to gardaí he was driving with no insurance or driving licence at the time of the offence.

The sergeant outlined that Mr Ahern has 37 previous convictions - including two for no insurance, one for no driving licence, one for driving without an NCT, a count of criminal damage, and a section four Public Order offence.

READ MORE: Burglar fell from getaway car after raid on well-known Limerick business

Mr Ahern had also been disqualified from driving by a judge at Ennis District Court on November 19, 2025, and was disqualified at the time of the quarry crash.

Solicitor John Herbert, representing the man, said Mr Ahern hurt his back when he was 17.

Judge Patricia Harney replied: “I’ll tell you something, You’ll get a bad back from me.”

Mr Herbert said Mr Ahern’s back injury came about in a work accident, and that his back had been crushed by steel.

Judge Harney convicted and sentenced Mr Ahern to 12 weeks’ imprisonment, and fined him €1,500 in total for the offences.

The judge disqualified him from driving for 10 years.

-Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme