'Foolish frolic' as van driver gave false name when stopped on Offaly road

Two-year ban and big fines imposed on young motorist

Published 9th Mar 2026, 16:00 BST Updated 24th Mar 2026, 16:26 BST Prosecuted at Tullamore District Court Two-year ban and big fines imposed on young motorist THE wrong man was summonsed for alleged motoring offences after a driver gave a different name to gardai.

Tullamore District Court was told by Garda William Kirwan that on May 11 last year at 10.50pm on the Arden Road in Tullamore he stopped a Citroen Berlingo van.

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Garda Kirwan said the driver gave his name as Conor Harrington and an address at St Bridget Square, Portarlington.

Mr Harrington was summonsed but Garda Kirwan discovered the driver was not him but was another person living in the same house.

When he called to the house Padriag Donagher said he was the driver and the van was seized.

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Garda Kirwan added that Mr Donagher was co-operative with him but documents were not produced.

David Nugent, BL, defending Padriag Donagher (20), St Bridget Square, Portarlington, Co Laois, said the driver had told him “I was a fool” and he had panicked when he encountered the garda.

Though Mr Donagher had left school early he intended going back. He knew there was no excuse for what he had told the garda.

Judge Andrew Cody disqualified Mr Donagher from driving for two years and fined him €750 for driving without insurance and €250 for giving a false name.

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