Disqualified Kildare driver walked away from car after being spotted by gardaí

A 26-YEAR-old Kildare man who was spotted driving while disqualified tried to walk away from his car after being followed by a garda. Jamie Connors of Maryville Grove, Mellita Road, Kildare appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy at Carlow District Court following the execution of a bench warrant after he had failed to appear when the matter was first before the court.

The court heard that on 31 March at approximately 3.30pm, gardaí were on mobile patrol on Staplestown Road in Carlow town when Garda Murphy, who was aware that Mr Connors had an active disqualification order, spotted the defendant. Garda Murphy followed him and observed him park and walk away from his vehicle. Mr Connors was arrested and conveyed to Carlow Garda Station.

Mr Connors has 11 previous convictions, six of which relate to road traffic offences. His most recent road traffic conviction is from April 2024 for driving without insurance, for which he received a fine of €500 and a two-year driving disqualification. His most recent conviction overall was from Naas Circuit Court in January 2025 in relation to stolen property, for which he received a suspended sentence.

Solicitor Alexander Rafter, who was assigned to Mr Connors as he had no legal representation, told the court that his client wished to apologise for his failure to appear the previous day, explaining that he had gotten the date wrong. In mitigation, Mr Rafter said his client had been driving a friend’s car, did not have a licence, but was being fully upfront about the matter and ‟was not trying to get away from anything”.

“He got here by train today – he is not driving now,” Mr Rafter added, noting that his client has a six-month-old child.

Judge Carthy said she remained taken aback by those who come before the court and disregard court orders.

“I’m still amazed that people come before this court and flagrantly ignore court orders,” she said.

Mr Connors was convicted and sentenced to four months, suspended entirely for 12 months, on conditions including that he not reoffend or drive. A charge of driving without a valid licence was taken into consideration.

***Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme***