'Oh my days': Judge reacts to Kildare driver's tyre
The tyre on the back of a Peugeot van. Photo courtesy of gardaí
A MAN with 11 previous convictions for traffic offences has been fined €900 and disqualified for two years by Carlow District Court after being observed driving with a “completely deflated” tyre.
James Connors (48) of Newtown Mount, Pillsburg, Maganey, Co Kildare was found guilty of driving without reasonable consideration for other road users, driving without insurance and failing to provide a certificate of insurance at Athy Garda Station by Judge Geraldine Carthy on 12 February.
The defendant was not present in court. Garda Eamonn McGinley explained how on Sunday 11 May 2025, a Peugeot van came to his attention as he drove out of Castledermot, with a strong smell of burning rubber.
He thought the driver would pull into a petrol station on approach, but he continued forward into a junction and the garda took action. His back right tyre was completely deflated and there seemed to be a lump in it.
Mr Connors, who presented a full licence but no insurance, told the garda that he was planning to go to a yard with it, which was another half a kilometre away. When shown a photo of the tyre by garda McGinley, Judge Carthy reacted “Oh my days. How did he think he was going to get to the yard with that?”
Mr Connors nominated Athy Garda Station to submit his insurance documents. He failed to submit the required documents.
The defendant has a total of 13 previous convictions, 11 for traffic violations, but none for having no insurance. The most recent offence in 2025 related to vehicle equipment. In 2017, he was fined €300 and disqualified for two years for careless driving at Cavan District Court.
Judge Carthy set a fine at €500 on Mr Connors and disqualified him from driving for two years for failing to produce an insurance certificate. In respect of unreasonable driving, he was fined €400.
