Judge refuses legal aid to Offaly driver of 2024 VW Golf

Motorist already banned when caught speeding on motorway

Published 12th Mar 2026, 16:00 BST Updated 24th Mar 2026, 16:29 BST Man convicted in his absence after leaving Tullamore Courthouse Motorist already banned when caught speeding on motorway 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.

JUDGE Andrew Cody refused to grant legal aid to a man after imposing driving bans on him.

Two five-year disqualifications were imposed on Michael Jason Cawley, Puttaghaun, Tullamore in his absence because he had left the local District Court before his case was heard.

When defence counsel David Nugent, BL, asked Judge Cody to consider legal aid the judge replied: “Not for somebody driving a 242 Volkswagen Golf who doesn't wait in court.”

Earlier Garda Pat McGee gave evidence of stopping Mr Cawley for speeding on the M6 motorway when he was driving the Offaly-registered Golf at 144k/ph where the limit was 120k/ph.

Garda McGee said charges alleging driving without a licence and insurance resulted from that because it was discovered the man already had two disqualifications.

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One of them was as a result of the accumulation of penalty points and another was a disqualification by the court.

Mr Nugent, who pointed out that Mr Cawley had been present in court earlier but then “left the building” said the driver did not believed he had been informed of the disqualification.

Garda McGee said he had 19 penalty points and in December 2025 he had been disqualified for six months for parking in a loading bay.

The garda added that Mr Cawley also had previous convictions for speeding, drug possession, driving without reasonable consideration for other road users and holding a mobile phone while driving.

Mr Nugent then told the judge: “He's not here. That's probably all I can tell you in his absence.”

Judge Cody said Mr Cawley had a “long litany” of road traffic offences and along with the two driving bans he imposed fines totalling €1,500. He fixed recognisances for an appeal.

Related topics: Offaly News M6 Tullamore District Court 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.