Driver (22) banned for four years after being caught driving without insurance for fourth time
The Sligo ChampionA 22-year-old driver has been disqualified from driving for four years after he was caught driving without insurance for the fourth time. He was amongst a number of drivers before Sligo District Court for various road traffic offences.
Callum Patrick Mee McPadden of Lisselen, Riverstown, was charged with driving without insurance and not displaying insurance at St Mary’s Green, Collooney on June 9, 2025.
Sergeant Butler told the court that when stopped, the defendant told gardaí that the vehicle belonged to his friend and that he had a problem with his own car.
The court heard that McPadden had five previous convictions.
Mr John Anderson, solicitor (defending), told Judge Cunningham that his client’s own car was involved in a serious collision two weeks before he was stopped, and that it was written off. He added that McPadden’s decision to take his friend’s car was foolish and asked her to be as lenient as possible.
Judge Cunningham told Mr Anderson that McPadden had three previous convictions for driving without insurance. Mr Anderson replied that his client did not have any previous convictions for that offence when he was stopped on June 9, 2025.
Mr Anderson said that his client did not have a great history and asked Judge Cunningham if she would consider community service.
After being deemed suitable for the community service by the probation officer, Mr Anderson told Judge Cunningham that his client hoped to take up employment in Spain and that he felt that he needed to get out of the country. He asked her to be as lenient as possible in the amount of hours she would direct for community service.
On the driving without insurance charge, Judge Cunningham directed McPadden to do 100 hours of community service in lieu of a three-month prison sentence and disqualified him from driving for four years. She took the other charge into consideration.
At the same court, Andrew Loughlin (27) of Cloonlogher, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim was charged with driving without insurance at Church St, Magheraboy, Sligo on November 23, 2025.
Sgt Butler told the court that the defendant told gardaí that it was his partner’s car and that he believed he was insured to drive it.
The court heard that Loughlin had 19 previous convictions.
Mr Mark Mullaney, solicitor told Judge Cunningham that his client had no previous convictions for driving without insurance but that he had quite the number of other road traffic convictions going back seven years. He asked her to not impose a disqualification as Loughlin helped care for his grandmother and that he helped with his grand-uncle’s farm.
Mr Mullaney said that Loughlin had matured greatly since his first conviction and that he entered a plea at the earliest opportunity.
Judge Cunningham fined the defendant €250. She explained that she was not going to disqualify Loughlin as his previous convictions were of some vintage. However, she continued that his previous convictions were not impressive and that Loughlin was fortunate that she was dealing with this matter that way.
Mr Mullaney told Judge Cunningham that he did not think she would see this young man again.
Also at Sligo District Court,Tariel Zhuzhunashvili (65) of Rathbraughan Park, Ballytivnan, Sligo was charged with driving without a licence and insurance on the N15, Shannon Eighter, on July 16, 2025.
The court heard that he had no previous convictions.
Ms Abigail Livingstone, solicitor (defending), told Judge Cunningham that her client was a Georgian national who had been living in Ireland for three years. She added that Zhushunashvili’s wife passed away and that he moved to the country to be closer to his children and grandchildren living in Ireland.
Ms Livingstone said that he mistakenly understood that his Georgian licence covered him. She added that for the insurance, Zhuzhunashvili knew that he should have had it but that he could not afford it.
Judge Cunningham fined the defendant €250 for driving without insurance but did not disqualify him from driving due to him having no previous convctions.
She warned him that if he got a second conviction for driving without insurance, it would be a mandatory four-year disqualification. Zhuzhunashvili was fined €150 for driving without a licence.
Brian Breheny (44) of Brogher, Ballinafad was charged with driving without insurance at Ballinafad on December 19, 2025.
The court heard that Breheny had one previous conviction.
Mr Anderson told Judge Cunningham that his client fully co-operated with gardaí. He explained that Breheny got locked out of his house and drove the two miles to get the keys when he was stopped. Mr Anderson continued that his client lived in a rural area and that he needed his licence.
Judge Cunningham fined Breheny €250 but did not disqualify him from driving due to him having no previous convictions and the special circumstances outlined by his solicitor.
Diarmuid McConville (54) of Killavoggy, Dromahair, Co. Leitrim was charged with driving without insurance, without an insurance disc and having no tax and failing to produce all three documents at Ash Lane, Ballytivnan, Sligo on November 7, 2025. The defendant made no appearance.
Garda David Hannon told the court that he was carrying out a checkpoint with the National Transport Authority, when he observed McConville doing a U turn in the middle of the road. He followed the defendant and stopped the car.
Garda Hannon discovered that the defendant was driving without tax or insurance.
The court heard that McConville had a previous conviction for driving without insurance.
Judge Cunningham adjourned the case to October 8, to give the defendant an opportunity to address the court in terms of mitigation.
Teague McGinley of Cloonamahon, Collooney was charged with parking on a footpath at Fishquay, Rathedemond on September 5, 2025.
Garda David Hannon told the court that at 10:54am, he observed a Renault Traffic Van parked on footpath. He issued a Fixed Charge Penalty Notice (FCPN) to McGinley which went unpaid.
Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor (defending), told Judge Cunningham that his client did not understand the heading of the summons. He added that McGinley had €160, but he was two to three days late for the payment deadline.
Judge Cunningham fined McGinley €160.
Thomas Maguire (35) of Ard Cairn, Sligo was charged with parking within five metres of a junction at Keaveney Lane, Tonaphubble, Sligo on October 24, 2025.
Garda Hannon told the court that at 1:47pm, he observed a Range Rover parked in between two traffic cones, laid out for the Sligo Races. He issued an FCPN to Maguire, but it went unpaid.
Mr Mark Mullaney, solicitor (defending), told Judge Cunningham that his client should not have parked where he did and that he should have paid the ticket.
Judge Cunningham fined Maguire €100.
Tadhg Doggett (21) of Ballybeg, Rossbrook, Knocknahur was charged with driving without tax on Teeling St, Sligo on October 7, 2025.
Sergeant Butler told the court that at 1:48pm, gardaí observed Doggett stopped on the road and holding up traffic. The defendant was told to move on and gardaí discovered that he had no tax on his car.
Judge Cunningham fined Doggett €120.
Damien Montgomery (38) of Parklands, Tubbercurry was charged with driving without insurance on the Cemetery Road Commons, Sligo on October 7, 2025.
Mr Anderson said that his client required his licence to work. A letter from Montgomery’s employer was also handed into court.
Judge Cunningham fined Montgomery €250 but did not disqualify him from driving due to him having no previous convictions and that he required his licence for work.
Mairead Casey (55) of Dorrins Strand, Strandhill was charged with not having tax on the N4, Drumfin, Sligo on September 16, 2025.
The defendant made no appearance and Judge Cunningham fined her €150.
Article funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.