Gardaí use Mobility App to detect uninsured Leitrim man who never held a driving licence

A driver who was identified as driving without documentation by a Garda law enforcement app was fined €450 at Longford District Court.

Maycon De Oliveria Freitas (38) of Clooncolligan, Bornacoola, Leitrim was before the court on two charges having been identified by the Garda Active mobility device.

Sergeant Enda Daly told the court that at 3:55pm on October 10 2024 at Shroid, Dublin Road, Longford a vehicle was identified by the Active app.

The device scans the registration plates and automatically returns relevant data. The device can also scan a driving licence and automatically return real time information on the roadside to the Garda. This has proved successful in identifying false or forged driving licences and disqualified drivers.

Officers indicated for the car to pull over and spoke to Mr Freitas. The defendant admitted he had no insurance and had never held a licence.

He cooperated and signed the Garda notebook. Mr Freitas had no previous convictions.

Solicitor Brid Mimnagh said the father of four has now obtained a provisional licence. On the day he was stopped he had been on his way to work.

Having reviewed the facts of the case Judge Bernadette Owens imposed a fine of €450 for the no insurance charge and took the charge of driving without a licence into consideration.

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