Derry youth fined and disqualified following fireworks seizure

After police stopped a van due to an issue with insurance they found more than £1,000 worth of fireworks Derry Magistrate's Court heard today.

Richard Cunningham (18) of Labre Park in Derry faced a series of charges that occurred on September 15 2025.

He was charged with fraudulently obtaining insurance, driving with no insurance, possessing fireworks and driving with no R plates on the same date.

The court heard that police stopped the van driven by the defendant and found the fireworks valued at £1,065.

He told police he had a temporary insurance policy but this was found to be false.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that his client was a youth at the time of this offence.

He said Cunningham had contested this on the papers.

District Judge Ted Magill told the defendant that he had lost the money for the fireworks even though there was nothing sinister about the items.

Cunningham was fined a total of £450 and disqualified from driving for 1 months.