Ireland Alex Thomsen fined €600 for careless driving in Longford
On 23 May 2025, gardaí on mobile patrol at about 9.45pm near Granard in North Longford followed a car that appeared to be driving well over the speed limit, estimated at about 120kph at one stage. Alex Thomsen (19), of Rathowen, County Westmeath, faced dangerous driving charges that the defence said might be reduced to careless driving. At an earlier January appearance, Judge Bernadette Owens ordered him to complete a driver awareness course, and he later pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to two counts of careless driving. The latest development, reported on 13 March 2026, is that he was convicted, fined €600 with nine months to pay, and given no driving ban.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced13 Mar
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Alex Thomsen, a 19-year-old man of Rathowen, County Westmeath, was the driver involved.
- Other details
- The offence was careless driving, with two counts.
- Where
- The careless driving took place at Lisryan, Granard and Balloo, Granard, in North Longford.
- When
- The offences were committed on 23 May 2025.
- Investigation
- Gardaí on mobile patrol at 9.45pm met the defendant's car driving towards Granard and saw it appearing to drive well in excess of the speed limit.
- Cause
- The speed limits on the route were 60kph and 80kph, and the car was at all times above 100kph, with gardaí estimating about 120kph at one stage.
- Charges
- The defence said there was a belief that the original dangerous driving charges might be reduced to careless driving.
- In court
- At an earlier January appearance, Judge Bernadette Owens ordered the defendant to complete a driver awareness course.
- He pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to two counts of careless driving.
- The defendant had no previous convictions.
- Sentence
- The judge imposed a €600 fine with nine months to pay.
- He was convicted and fined, and avoided a driving ban.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe careless driving took place at Lisryan, Granard and Balloo, Granard. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe offences were in North Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe offences were committed on 23 May 2025. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí were on mobile patrol at 9.45pm and met the defendant's car while driving towards Granard. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí saw the car appearing to drive well in excess of the speed limit and followed it. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeThe defence said there was a belief that the original dangerous driving charges might be reduced to careless driving. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtAlex Thomsen pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to two counts of careless driving. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtAt an earlier January appearance, Judge Bernadette Owens ordered him to complete a driver awareness course. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe defendant had no previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a €600 fine with nine months to pay. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceHe was convicted and fined and avoided a driving ban. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe speed limits on the route were 60kph and 80kph. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe car's speed was at all times above 100kph, and gardaí estimated it at about 120kph at one stage. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 13 Mar2026'Driving well in excess of the speed limit': Man convicted of careless driving in Longford
Adds the outcome: a €600 fine with nine months to pay and no driving ban. The photo caption names Cosmin Pavalean, but the report body concerns Alex Thomsen only.
convicted, Alex Thomsen, 19, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Alex Thomsen