Mayo motorist 'oblivious' to driving ban put off road for four years

A motorist was “oblivious” to a driving disqualification imposed on him when he was convicted in his absence.

Martin Lackey, 96 St Patrick’s Estate, Ballina, pleaded guilty at the local district court to two counts of driving without insurance or a license.

The court heard that Sergeant Sean McHale stopped a van being driven by Lackey at Fenian Row, Ballina on May 9, 2025, and asked for his licence and insurance.

Sergeant McHale also questioned Lackey if he was disqualified from driving and the defendant said he wasn't.

Two days later, Sergeant McHale stopped Lackey at the same location driving the same vehicle and told him he had since learned he was disqualified from driving for three months.

The ban was imposed at Ballina District Court on February 25, 2025, after the defendant was convicted in his absence. Once again, a demand was made for Lackey’s insurance, which he did not produce.

Lackey has a number of previous convictions.

Solicitor Denis Molloy said his client was not aware of the ban, which was to due to end two weeks after these detections.

Lackey accepted he had received correspondence from the courts office stating he had been disqualified but it never came to his attention. The defendant had insurance but it was not in effect due to the ban.

Judge Vincent Deane imposed a fine of €400 and a four-year driving ban.

* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.