Judge told of multiple no insurance charges against Mayo resident who used fake foreign licence

An Algerian man living in Castlebar has been returned for a full probation report after admitting to a series of no insurance and driving while disqualified offences, as well as using a false driving licence from Algeria.

Younes Mechedal, of Breaffy Woods, appeared before Judge Sandra Murphy at Castlebar District Court facing three separate incidents in 2024 and 2025 involving no insurance, driving while disqualified, and possession of a false instrument.

Garda O’Brien told the court that on April 28, 2025, at 10.50 a.m. in Knockcroghery, he stopped Mechedal, who was driving a blue Volkswagen in a public place despite being disqualified on penalty points.

The vehicle was seized, and Mechedal was found to have no insurance.

Another incident occurred on June 3, 2024, when Garda Guckian stopped Mechedal driving in Moneen N5 Business Park.

When asked for documentation, Mechedal admitted he had no insurance and produced an “international driving permit” from Algeria. This document was sent to the Garda Technical Bureau, which confirmed it was a fake.

A third incident took place on March 19, 2025, when Garda Guckian again observed Mechedal driving while disqualified, this time on Spencer Street, Castlebar. CCTV captured the incident, and the accused failed to produce documentation when requested.

Sergeant McShane confirmed that Mechedal had been disqualified from March 5, 2025, to September 2025 arising from the earlier matters as he was on a learner permit and hit the disqualification threshold of 6 penalty points.

The court heard he has no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Ms. Aileen Feely said the “complicating factor” in the case was that Mechedal originally held a valid licence in Algeria and had applied online to convert it to an Irish licence. She argued he had been misled by scammers and did not initially realise the document he received was a false instrument.

She said her client, who works early morning shifts, formerly at a hotel in the town centre and now at a factory on the Breaffy road, was unaware of his disqualification at the time of the first incident but accepted he knew by the second. Mechadal, a married man with a young child, is living in Breaffy House and has fully completed his driving lessons.

However, he could not sit his full driving test until his disqualification period ends.

Ms. Feely urged the court to impose a further disqualification rather than a custodial sentence, noting her client’s poor English, steady employment, and early guilty plea.

Judge Sandra Murphy questioned how Mechadal could have such a misunderstanding of Irish road traffic laws, particularly after being stopped multiple times.

She said the case involved “serious” matters: three instances of no insurance, driving while disqualified, and the use of a fake licence, all of which raised concerns about criminal intent.

The judge directed that probation meet Mechadal with the assistance of an Arabic interpreter, noting the “serious consequences” that may arise depending on their assessment.

A full probation report was ordered.

The matter was adjourned to March 4 for finalisation, with Judge Murphy stating it would be concluded on that date.

*Published under the Courts Reporting Scheme.