Uninsured Longford motorist caught twice is jailed for 10 months and gets 10-year road ban

A motorist has been been handed a 10-month prison sentence and a 10 year road ban for driving without insurance and a driving licence in Longford.

Joe Mears of 1 Richmond Street, Longford, pleaded guilty to driving without a policy and a driving licence in the Chapel Lane area of the county town on July 17, 2023 and to driving without any documentation in the Oakvale area on September 30,2023.

At a previous hearing, the court heard Gda John Hanley was on duty on July 17, 2023 when he observed Mears driving a vehicle in the Chapel Lane area.

The officer stopped him and made a lawful demand for his driver's license and insurance.

Mears claimed to have a UK licence, however, Judge Bernadette Owens heard this was not valid.

Gda John Hanley was on duty again on September 30, 2023 when he observed Mears turning off the Ballinalee Rd towards Oakvale.

The officer stated the defendant 'sped off' after he spotted the patrol car and he pursued him and made a further demand for his driver's licence and insurance, but no documentation that covered him was produced.

Judge Bernadette Owens heard that on August 25 last year, Mr Mears was arrested for a Section 6 Public Order offence and was due to appear at Blanchardstown District Court.

When he failed to attend, a warrant for his arrest was issued on September 4, 2025, and executed on October 14 last.

The matter was adjourned to November 18 last and when Mr Mears failed to appear again, a further bench warrant was issued and Mr Mears has been in custody since then.

Judge B2ernadette Owens noted Mr Mears had six previous convictions the last time he appeared in Longford District Court, however, he had appeared in Longford Circuit Criminal Court since then.

Sgt Mahon, for the State, said his last appearance was in Blanchardstown District Court on October 11, 2025 for a public order offence when he received a 200 fine.

The court heard Mr Mears appeared in Longford Criminal Circuit Court for a no insurance matter on July 11, 2024 when he was fined €450.

The defendant was also handed a five year custodial sentence, suspended for seven years, for the possession of drugs for sale and supply on February 22, 2024.

Solicitor Diarmuid Quinn, defending, said his client, who is currently in prison and not due for release until December 1, 2026, wanted to offer an apology to the court.

"He has a child who is very unwell and is undergoing surgery.

"He realises his wrongs and he has learnt his lesson and I would ask the court to be as lenient as possible with him."

Judge Bernadette Owens considered the case and she handed down a 10-month prison sentence to run concurrently to the sentence being presently served and she disqualified him from driving for 10 years.

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