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. 8415Mobile phone use while driving · Co. Kildare · 5 Aug 2024

Case struck out after storm stopped man paying fixed penalty, Naas court told

Declan O'Farrell, a 62-year-old man, was alleged to have been holding a mobile phone while driving at Maudlings, Naas, on 5 August 2024. He was prosecuted at Naas District Court after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice, and the defence said a red weather warning and a power cut at the post office prevented payment. Judge Desmond Zaidan struck out the case, as reported on 30 July 2026.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Declan O'Farrell, 62, was alleged to have been holding a mobile phone while driving.
Where
The alleged offence took place at Maudlings, Naas, County Kildare.
When
The alleged offence date given is 5 August 2024.
Cause
  • The defence said adverse weather conditions, including a red weather warning, prevented the man from paying the fixed penalty notice.
  • The man was unable to pay because there was a power cut and no electricity at the post office.
Charges
The man was prosecuted after he failed to pay a fixed penalty notice for a minor road traffic offence, instead of going to court.
In court
  • The case was heard at Naas District Court.
  • Judge Desmond Zaidan struck out the case, as reported on 30 July 2026.
Other details
The man's address was given as Cloughrea, Drumconrath, County Meath.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe alleged offence took place at Maudlings, Naas. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe alleged offence date given is 5 August 2024. (kildarenow.com)
  • causeAdverse weather conditions were said to have prevented the man from paying a fixed penalty notice. (kildarenow.com)
  • causeThe man was unable to pay because there was no electricity at the post office. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeDeclan O'Farrell was alleged to have been holding a mobile phone while driving. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe man was prosecuted at Naas District Court after failing to pay a fixed penalty notice. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtJudge Desmond Zaidan struck out the case. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherA red weather warning was in place when the defendant went to pay the fine. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Jul2026
    Otherkildarenow.com, first report
    Storm and power cut prevented a man paying a fine, Kildare court told

    Reports that Judge Desmond Zaidan struck out the case after the defence said a red weather warning and a power cut at the post office prevented payment. The article gives the alleged offence date as August 5, 2024.

    accused, Declan O'Farrell, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan O'Farrell