Three-month suspended sentence for repeat offender who gave false name to Gardaí

A 32-year-old Dublin man has received a three-month suspended prison sentence after giving Gardaí a false name during a traffic stop—his second conviction for the same offence.

Sean O’Reilly, of 17 Castletown Drive, Kilmore, Coolock, Dublin 9, appeared before Judge Michael Connellan at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on June 29, where he pleaded guilty to obstruction.

The court heard that on June 16, 2024, at around 11.20pm, Garda Michelle Burk stopped a grey Toyota Corolla on the N4 due to expired tax. O’Reilly, who was in the front passenger seat, told Gardaí his name was “Craig Bennett”.

However, Gardaí later established that he had lied. O’Reilly eventually admitted he gave false details because he believed there was a live bench warrant out for his arrest.

Judge Connellan was visibly unimpressed and pointed out that O’Reilly had been previously convicted for the exact same offence. On November 20, 2023, he was fined €150 by the Circuit Court for giving false information to Gardaí.

“This is not the first time,” Judge Connellan said. “He chose to give a false name, false date of birth, and false address. Gardaí have enough to be doing without having their time wasted like this.”

O’Reilly’s solicitor said his client had acted out of fear, thinking he might be arrested on the spot. He added that O’Reilly was currently unemployed, suffered from depression, and deeply regretted the incident.

Judge Connellan imposed a three-month prison sentence but suspended it for 12 months on two conditions: that O’Reilly keep the peace and be of good behaviour. Recognisance was fixed at €150 in the event of an appeal.

“If he appears before me again on this same charge, I will send him to jail,” Judge Connellan warned.