Mayo driver who showed 'complete lack of insight into rules of the road' is banned for four years

A man described by Judge Sandra Murphy as showing a “complete lack of insight into the rules of the road” has been disqualified from driving for four years and handed suspended prison sentences at Castlebar District Court.

Younes Mechedal, with an address at Breaffy Woods, appeared before Judge Sandra Murphy in relation to a series of road traffic offences, including driving without insurance, driving without a licence and the use of a false instrument.

The court heard that the case involved three separate incidents across 2024 and 2025.

Defence solicitor Ms. Aileen Feely said her client had engaged with the probation service and had spoken with Garda Guckian regarding the seriousness of the matters before the court.

She said Mechedal had previously worked with McGrath Waste but had lost his job as he was no longer able to drive.

She added that he is married, has a young child aged one and a half, and that his wife is expecting another baby in April.

Ms. Feely acknowledged the concerns raised by the court and the gardaí but said her client had been spoken to about the consequences of his behaviour and the importance of complying with the law.

The court heard that Garda Guckian had previously stopped Mechedal and that he had been spoken to about driving without an accompanying driver.

Ms. Feely also said there were some language difficulties, but accepted that the rules of the road had been explained to him.

Judge Murphy said she was particularly concerned by the contents of a probation report.

She noted that the report stated Mechedal had come to the attention of authorities and appeared to have little regard for the rules of the road.

The judge said the report indicated that the defendant had described the offences as “not a big deal” and appeared surprised that he was facing a driving ban.

“That begs the question as to what he has learned since the last court date,” Judge Murphy remarked.

Court presenter Sergeant Conor McShane said the State shared the concerns in relation to public safety.

Judge Murphy said the offences demonstrated a pattern of behaviour and a failure to appreciate the seriousness of driving offences.

She outlined that the first incident on June 3, 2024, involved Mechedal being found in possession of and using a false instrument, namely a fake international driving licence, along with driving without insurance and without a valid driving licence.

For the no insurance offence on that date, he was convicted and fined €250 with six months to pay and disqualified from driving for two years.

For driving without a licence, he was convicted and fined €150. In relation to the use and possession of the false licence, Judge Murphy convicted Mechedal and imposed a two-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

A second incident on March 19, 2025, again involved driving without insurance and without a licence. Judge Murphy noted this was a second no insurance offence and said the defendant had been clearly informed of the law previously.

He was convicted and fined €250 and disqualified from driving for four years. A further €150 fine was imposed for having no licence.

A third incident on April 28, 2025, again involved driving without insurance, this time in a different vehicle. Describing this as an aggravating factor, Judge Murphy imposed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He was also fined €250 and ordered to complete a pro-social driving course within 12 months.

For driving without a licence on that date, he was again convicted and fined €150.

Judge Murphy said she considered Mechedal to pose a real risk on the road and said the court had to mark the seriousness of the offences.

The suspended prison sentence for the final offence was ordered to run consecutively due to the aggravating circumstances.

* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.