Limerick man accused of speeding says he has ‘never driven or owned a car’
The operator of a Gosafe van said the detection was made on the N18 at Ballinacurra Weston on the outskirts of the city, close to the Limerick Tunnel
A MAN who is facing prosecution for a speeding offence has claimed he has never owned or driven a car.
Patrick Storan, who is aged 55, according to court records, appeared before Judge Patricia Harney at Kilmallock Court accused of speeding late last year.
The prosecution was brought after a vehicle that is registered in his name was detected travelling at 113km/h in a 100km/h zone.
Giving evidence, the operator of a Gosafe van said the detection was made on the N18 at Ballinacurra Weston on the outskirts of the city, close to the Limerick Tunnel, while he was on duty at 1.07am on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
A fine was issued but was not paid.
Mr Storan, who has an address at The Square, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick city, denies the charge and, in evidence, he stated that not only does he not know anything about the vehicle in question, he in fact has never driven or owned a vehicle.
“I have never driven in my whole life,” he told his solicitor Ted McCarthy adding that he is not permitted to drive as he suffers from epilepsy.
Mr Storan added that a “lot of people put my name on their books” and that it’s not the first time his identity has been used by other people to register cars in his name.
When asked to clarify this, the defendant told Inspector Gearóid Thompson that this had happened “eleven or twelve” times over the last two years.
Upon hearing this and after asking Mr Storan to confirm his date of birth, the inspector said gardai will have to carry out further investigations into the matter.
In his evidence, Mr Storan provided a date of birth which differs significantly from the date listed on the court records.
Noting the evidence before her, Judge Patricia Harney asked Mr Storan if he had ever made a formal report to An Garda Síochána about the previous instances.
He responded stating that he had made a complaint once to gardai at Roxboro garda station.
Expressing her concern, Judge Harney strongly advised Mr Storan to make a formal complaint, saying that this is “now a garda matter”.
She appeared baffled by the evidence given, saying: “I don’t know what’s going on”.
The judge further added that Mr Storan is “obliged” to make a complaint to gardai if he has concerns his name has been used without his permission.
Noting that gardai intend to make further inquiries, Judge Harney said she would not finalise the matter until matters are clarified.
The case was adjourned until Tuesday, September 15.