'Unremarkable' Limerick man receives fourth conviction for driving without insurance

A MAN has been convicted for driving with no insurance for the fourth time, at Limerick District Court.

Martin McCarthy, 36, with a home address at The Crescent, Dooradoyle, Limerick, was stopped by Garda Philip Ellard at School Road, Limerick on November 29, 2025.

Martin McCarthy was discovered to be driving without insurance, a licence or tax for his car.

Prosecuting sergeant Denis Waters detailed to the court that Martin McCarthy has 21 previous convictions, including three for driving without insurance, two for driving without a driving license, one for driving without a seatbelt, three drug offences, as well as a fraud and public order offence.

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Judge Patricia Harney told the man: “This business of driving without a driving licence is seriously not on.”

In mitigation, solicitor Darach McCarthy said his client was exceptionally co-operative with gardaí. Darach McCarthy said that Martin McCarthy is a “father of four” and that “his existence is unremarkable”.

A bench warrant was issued for Martin McCarthy in 2022. Solicitor Darach McCarthy said “in the intervening period he has done nothing wrong”.

The judge imposed a one month suspended jail sentence on Martin McCarthy, disqualified him from driving for five years, and issued fines totalling €1550.

-Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.