Kilkenny gardaí spotted disqualified driver as he drove right past them
A DISQUALIFIED driver who drove past gardaí has been given a jail sentence and a further driving ban, by Kilkenny District Court.
Edward O’Reilly, 2 St Mary’s Crescent, was observed at Hebron Road on July 9, 2025, just before 10am.
A garda was stopped at traffic lights and saw Mr O’Reilly drive past. He knew the man was disqualified from driving at the time.
When stopped by gardaí Mr O’Reilly was asked for his driving documents, and he refused to sign the garda’s notebook to say he was driving.
There were 46 previous convictions recorded against Mr O’Reilly.
Solicitor Chris Hogan said there was little he could offer in mitigation and his client admitted he should not have been driving.
Mr O’Reilly is not working, the solicitor said; he looks after his horses and attends the Men’s Traveller Group. He asked the court to give Mr O’Reilly credit for his guilty plea.
Noting that Mr O’Reilly was charged with driving without insurance, without a licence and failing to produce documents at a time when he was serving an eight year driving disqualification, Judge Geradine Carthy said the defendant ignored that court order and had no respect for any order the court might make.
For driving without insurance, Mr O’Reilly was sentenced to five months imprisonment and he was disqualified from driving for 10 years.
The other charges were taken into consideration. Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.