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. 10966Driving without reasonable consideration; no insurance, tax or NCT · Co. Offaly · 18 Sep 2024

Driver appeals three-month sentence over social media post about garda, Tullamore

Evan McMorrow, a 20-year-old man from Killeenmore, Killeigh, was convicted of driving without reasonable consideration on the N80 in Killeigh, Co Offaly, on September 18, 2024, along with other motoring offences including having no insurance. He was also the account holder of a social media post that a garda, Patrick McGee, said contained a degrading comment about him. The District Court imposed a three-month prison sentence, a €5,000 fine, a 10-year driving disqualification and a €1,500 payment to the Garda Benevolent Fund. McMorrow appealed the severity of the sentence at Tullamore Circuit Court, where the judge adjourned finalisation of the appeal to June 4 for a report on his suitability for 240 hours of community service in place of the prison sentence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court16 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Evan McMorrow, aged 20, of Killeenmore, Killeigh, was the account holder of a social media post about a garda.
  • The garda, Patrick McGee, said the post contained what he described as a degrading comment about him.
When
The driving offence occurred on September 18, 2024.
Where
The driving offence took place on the N80 at Killeigh, Co Offaly.
Cause
McMorrow was convicted of driving without reasonable consideration.
Charges
He was also convicted of other motoring offences, including having no insurance.
Investigation
  • Fixed charge notices issued for the offences were not paid, and insurance was not produced.
  • The garda contacted McMorrow about the post, and he accepted that he had posted it.
In court
  • McMorrow appealed the severity of the penalties imposed in the District Court, and the appeal was heard at Tullamore Circuit Court.
  • Judge Keenan Johnson described the social media post as outrageous.
  • The judge indicated he could order 240 hours of community service in place of the three-month prison sentence.
  • The judge adjourned finalisation of the appeal to June 4 for a report on McMorrow's suitability for community service.
Sentence
  • The District Court imposed a three-month prison sentence, a €5,000 fine and a 10-year driving disqualification on McMorrow.
  • McMorrow was also ordered to pay €1,500 to the Garda Benevolent Fund.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatEvan McMorrow, aged 20, of Killeenmore, Killeigh, was the account holder of a social media post about a garda. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe post contained what the garda described as a degrading comment about him. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeMcMorrow was convicted of driving without reasonable consideration on September 18, 2024 on the N80, Killeigh. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationFixed charge notices were issued for the offences but were not paid, and insurance was not produced. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe garda contacted McMorrow about the post, and he accepted he had posted it. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe was also convicted of other motoring offences, including having no insurance. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtMcMorrow appealed against the severity of penalties imposed on him in the District Court last year. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Johnson said the social media post was outrageous. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned finalisation of the appeal to June 4 for a report on McMorrow's suitability for community service. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe District Court judge imposed a three-month prison sentence on McMorrow. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe District Court judge also fined McMorrow €5,000 and disqualified him from driving for 10 years. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge indicated he could order 240 hours of community service in place of the three-month sentence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge also ordered McMorrow to pay €1,500 to the Garda Benevolent Fund. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Feb2026
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Young driver apologises for 'degrading' social media post about Tullamore garda

    Circuit Court appeal hearing against the District Court sentence. The judge adjourned finalisation to June 4 and raised the possibility of 240 hours of community service instead of the three-month sentence.

    convicted, Evan McMorrow, 20, male, named, irish (judged from name)Evan McMorrow