Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 10021Driving without insurance · Co. Donegal · 29 Jun 2017

Businessman convicted of driving without insurance at Letterkenny District Court

On June 29, 2017, Mark Harkin, a 54-year-old businessman, was charged with driving without insurance in St Johnston, County Donegal. Gardaí said they were not satisfied the insurance certificate covered him to drive the vehicle that day. The case concluded at Letterkenny District Court before Judge Gráinne Malone, who convicted Harkin and fined him €300 for driving without insurance and €300 for driving without a seatbelt, with six months to pay the insurance fine. The outcome was reported in April 2026, with a €200 recognisance bond fixed in the event of an appeal.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted19 Apr
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Mark Harkin, a 54-year-old businessman, was convicted of driving without insurance.
Where
The offence took place in St Johnston, County Donegal.
When
The offence was committed on June 29, 2017.
Charges
Harkin was charged with driving without insurance.
Investigation
Gardaí said they were not satisfied the insurance certificate covered Harkin to drive the vehicle on the date in question.
Other details
  • The insurance on the vehicle was conditional and in the name of a company.
  • Harkin said he was taking the van for a test drive and that a trade plate was placed in front of the vehicle.
In court
The case concluded at Letterkenny District Court before Judge Gráinne Malone, who convicted Harkin.
Sentence
  • Harkin was fined €300 for driving without insurance, with six months to pay.
  • Harkin was also fined €300 for driving without a seatbelt.
  • Recognisance in the event of an appeal was fixed at a bond of €200.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA 54-year-old businessman was convicted of driving without insurance. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe offence took place in St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe offence was committed on June 29, 2017. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said they were not satisfied the insurance certificate covered him to drive the vehicle on the date in question. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHarkin was charged with driving without insurance. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case concluded at Letterkenny District Court before Judge Gráinne Malone. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge was not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt and convicted Harkin. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceHarkin was fined €300 for driving without insurance, with six months to pay. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceHarkin was also fined €300 for driving without a seatbelt. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceRecognisance in the event of an appeal was fixed at a bond of €200. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe insurance on the vehicle was conditional and in the name of a company. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherHarkin said he was taking the van for a test drive and that a trade plate was placed in front of the vehicle. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Apr2026
    Convicteddonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal court convicts businessman over uninsured test drive in van

    Court report on a 2017 case concluded at Letterkenny District Court. Adds the verdict, the fines and the defence account that Harkin was taking the van for a test drive. The article also mentions an earlier assault conviction in Bridgend, which is a separate case and is not recorded.

    convicted, Mark Harkin, 54, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark Harkin