Presented fake Romanian licence in Offaly after seeing TikTok video

Man fined at Tullamore District Court after he tried to exchange false Romanian licence for Irish one at National Driver Licence Service office

Published 30th Oct 2026, 18:00 GMT Tribune Pictures Man fined at Tullamore District Court after he tried to exchange false Romanian licence for Irish one at National Driver Licence Service office GARDAI were contacted after a man applied for an Irish driving licence at the National Driver Licence Service office in Tullamore .

The local District Court was told that staff made the call to gardai after observing the Romanian licence presented by Robert Cristinel Codreanu (22), Cumeen Court, Main Street, Banagher which he submitted in exchange for a full Irish licence.

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Sergeant Justine Reilly told Judge Andrew Gubbins that analysis by the gardai showed the Romanian licence to be false.

Hocus Pocus for Dóchas set to bring Halloween magic to Offaly Mr Codreanu was assisted by a Romanian speaking interpreter when he appeared in court and his solicitor, Aisling Maloney, said the background to the offence was that her client had tried to pass the driving test in Romania but did not do so.

“He became aware of a TikTok video that he could obtain a licence elsewhere through another channel,” said Ms Maloney.

The solicitor added that Mr Codreanu was a working man who was currently not driving.

The defendant, who had no previous convictions, was fined €200 and given six months to pay the fine.

Judge Gubbins also made an order for the destruction of the fake Romanian licence.