Judge repeats demand that banned Offaly man takes advanced driving lessons

Businessman on way home in jeep with tinted windows overtook garda at temporary red traffic light in Tullamore town centre

Published 7th May 2026, 16:30 BST Updated 8th May 2026, 16:31 BST Man appealing against driving ban at Tullamore Circuit Court Businessman on way home in jeep with tinted windows overtook garda at temporary red traffic light in Tullamore town centre Sign up to our Offaly Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Offaly Live within your account.

A MAN who is appealing against a driving ban must take special driving lessons if the disqualification is to be lifted.

Michael McDermott (56), Roselawn, Tullamore received a three-month driving ban and a €750 fine which were imposed in the local District Court when he was convicted of careless driving.

At an initial appeal hearing in the Circuit Court last month Judge Ronan Munro heard how the prosecution resulted from Mr McDermott overtaking a garda at a temporary red light.

Judge Munro said he would remove the disqualification and reduce the fine to €50 if the man took “advanced driving” lessons and adjourned the appeal to this week for arrangements to be made for a course to be booked.

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When the matter came before the court on Thursday, May 7, Mr McDermott said he had identified a driver awareness course but had not booked it yet because he needed to clarify if it was acceptable to the prosecution.

Mr McDermott said the course would comprise four modules over two days, would cost €250, and would involve a certificate of completion being issued.

The man's barrister, Stephen Byrne, BL, said details of the course had been handed into the court but Judge Munro questioned if it was what he had intended.

He explained that his understanding of an advanced driving course involved getting into a car for field lessons with a focus on safety.

Mr Byrne said such a course could be arranged, possibly through Coyle Driving School in Roscommon.

Judge Munro adjourned consideration of the matter to Friday, May 8, and told Mr McDermott that three lessons would be enough and he would be a safer driver afterwards.

Recalling the incident which led to the prosecution, the judge said: “Minor transgressions can have catastrophic consequences.”

The previous court hearing heard evidence from Garda Pat McGee who said that on May 24 last year at The Tanyard, Tullamore, at 10.25pm he was driving an unmarked patrol car.

Garda McGee said he stopped at a temporary road works traffic light and a vehicle overtook him from behind when there were still 34 seconds remaining on a red light.

He followed the vehicle, a 2021 Offaly registered Land Rover, and it turned into the nearby Roselawn estate.

He spoke to Mr McDermott who said the light had been green and he could see no other traffic coming.

Garda McGee said the light was red and agreed there was no other traffic coming.

He also said the front window of the vehicle did not pass a tinting test because it was only “41 per cent” instead of being over 60 per cent which was the required level for it to pass.

Replying to defence counsel Mr Byrne, Garda McGee said Mr McDermott's home was near the temporary traffic light but added that he was unaware if the tint, which is created by a film being placed on the glass, had been removed from the windscreen. Mr Byrne said it had been.

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Mr Byrne said Mr McDermott apologised for what he had done. He had been running his own business in used public house and hotel equipment since 2017 and had four employees.

Being off the road for even a short period would have an impact on the business and the employees.

Mr Byrne also said the appellant was a father of seven, two of whom required his help getting to and from activities like school.

Judge Munro said Mr McDermott was “old enough to have known better” and was “a bit old” for the “tinted thing”.

Judge Munro said three months off the road might “wreck his employment and his employees” and would not necessarily make Mr McDermott a better driver.

The judge indicated he would make an order similar to what he had done in the past which was for the appellant to arrange advanced driving lessons for himself at his own expense.

“His attitude to safety needs correcting,” the judge stated.

He said Mr McDermott had got into a cavalier attitude with his driving and added: “Advanced driving is all about safety, it's not about skidding around the place.”

Mr Byrne said his client had just been trying to get home that night and repeated that the tint had been removed.

Judge Munro said Mr McDermott would have to pay for the lessons himself.

Related topics: Offaly News Tullamore Circuit Court An Garda Siochána Sign up to our Offaly Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Offaly Live within your account.