Athy learner driver disqualified for one year
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A MAN who was stopped by gardaí while driving unaccompanied as a learner driver has been disqualified from driving for one year at Carlow District Court.
Joseph Carthy (31), Ardrew Halting Site, Fortbarrington Road, Athy faced charges of no insurance, failure to display L plates and driving while unaccompanied as a learner driver following an incident on 4 August 2025.
The court heard that at 4.26pm that day, gardaí on patrol on Dublin Road, Carlow stopped a silver Volkswagen and found that the driver, Mr Carthy, was a learner driver who was neither displaying L plates nor accompanied by a qualified driver. Gardaí requested that his learner's permit be produced at Carlow Garda Station, but it was not produced.
The charge of no insurance was struck out after Mr Carthy’s solicitor, Alex Rafter, produced an insurance certificate, which gardaí confirmed was in order. A plea was entered to both the failure to display L plates and driving while unaccompanied.
The court heard that Mr Carthy has 11 previous convictions, including nine road traffic offences. His most recent conviction was in November 2025 at Naas Circuit Court for conspiracy to commit crime.
Mr Rafter told the court that his client had valid insurance and apologised for not holding a full licence.
“He has a long sentence ahead of him with a bit to go yet,” he added.
Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted Mr Carthy and disqualified him from driving for one year for driving while unaccompanied, taking the non-display of L plates into consideration.
