Dangerously defective vehicle driven through Kilkenny City on Christmas Eve

Driving a dangerously defective vehicle down High Street in Kilkenny on Christmas Eve has resulted in a fine and penalty points for one young driver.

Arron Doyle, Bellavista, Jerpoint Church, Thomastown, pleaded guilty to the charge at Kilkenny District Court.

The court heard that at 3pm on December 24, 2024, gardaí on patrol heard an “extremely loud vehicle” driving down High Street. It was a UK registered Honda Civic being driven by Mr Doyle.

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Gardaí carried out a check and discovered the vehicle’s MOT expired in 2020. It was suspected that the vehicle was dangerously defective and was seized for a PSV inspection.

Sergeant Morgan O’Connor explained to the court that the car had new tyres that were worn due to a 30 degree splaying of the back wheels.

Rods at the back of the car had been cut and reattached to do this. The work had been done badly and was corroding.

Sgt O’Connor said grease was also leaking on to the exhaust box. The exhaust was gone, which is why the car was making the noise.

The result of the PSV inspection was that the vehicle was not road worthy. Photographs were handed in to court of the vehicle showing one side on each tyre was “completely worn.”

There were no previous convictions recorded against Mr Doyle.
Solicitor Chris Hogan said his client pleaded guilty to the charge. He is 19.

Mr Doyle is involved in car rallying, as is his father, and the car had been purchased in the UK three weeks before.
Mr Cahill bought the car from his father for €3,000. He didn’t appreciate the extent of defects on the vehicle, Mr Hogan told the court.

The solicitor said the rest of the defects were under the vehicle and perhaps the naked eyes wouldn't have seen them. His client had not got into the car knowing it was dangerously defective.

The vehicle had been seized. When it was returned Mr Doyle and his father had work done on the car, but as they are not satisfied it can be on the road it hasn't been used.
The vehicle has been taxed and has an Irish registration now.

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Mr Hogan told the court that Mr Doyle didn’t get his money back from his father.
He asked the court not to disqualify his client as he needs his licence for work. He is a metal fabricator.

The five penalty points that come with conviction for the offence will mean an increase in his client’s insurance cost. His client had dealt with the matter maturely, Mr Hogan said. Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted Mr Doyle and imposed a fine of €600.