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. 10770Using or allowing use of a vehicle without a certificate of roadworthiness · Co. Kildare · 29 Sep 2025

Farmer and farm worker fined over unroadworthy van near Monasterevin

Farmer Peter Kavanagh (71) and farm worker Sandro Santos (36), a Brazilian man, were accused of offences involving an unroadworthy van on the R445 at Clogheen, Monasterevin, County Kildare, on 29 September 2025. Gardaí stopped the driver and found the van's certificate of roadworthiness had expired, although the van was insured and taxed. Kavanagh, the registered owner, was accused of allowing its use without the certificate, and Santos, the driver, of using it without one. Both appeared before Portlaoise District Court, where Kavanagh was fined €1,500 and Santos was fined €100 and given recognisance in case of appeal, as reported on 1 March 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced27 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Peter Kavanagh (71) was accused of allowing the use of a vehicle without a certificate of roadworthiness.
  • Sandro Santos (36), a Brazilian man, was accused of using a vehicle without a certificate of roadworthiness.
Where
The offence took place on the R445 at Clogheen, Monasterevin, County Kildare.
When
The offence took place on 29 September 2025.
Investigation
Gardaí stopped the driver and found the van's certificate of roadworthiness had expired.
Other details
  • The van was registered to Peter Kavanagh and Sandro Santos was driving it.
  • The van was insured and taxed, but its certificate of roadworthiness had expired.
  • The van was a 15-year-old Opel Combi.
  • Kavanagh is a farmer with no previous convictions, and Santos is a farm worker who has worked on the farm for a number of years and has one previous conviction.
In court
Both men appeared before Portlaoise District Court.
Sentence
  • Kavanagh was fined €1,500.
  • Santos was fined €100 and given recognisance in case of appeal.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPeter Kavanagh was accused of allowing the use of a vehicle without a certificate of roadworthiness. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe offence took place on the R445 at Clogheen, Monasterevin. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place on 29 September 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí stopped the driver and found the certificate of roadworthiness had expired. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeSandro Santos was accused of using a vehicle without a certificate of roadworthiness. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceKavanagh was fined €1,500. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceSantos was fined €100 and given recognisance in case of appeal. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe van was registered to Peter Kavanagh and Sandro Santos was driving. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe van was insured and taxed, but its certificate of roadworthiness had expired. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe Opel Combi van was 15 years old. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherKavanagh had no previous convictions and Santos had one previous conviction. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherSantos is a Brazilian national who has worked on the farm for a number of years. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Feb2026
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Farmer and employee before Laois court over unroadworthy cattle-kicked van

    Court report of the sentencing at Portlaoise District Court. The van was insured and taxed, but its roadworthiness certificate had expired.

    convicted, Peter Kavanagh, 71, male, named, irish (judged from name)Peter Kavanaghconvicted, Sandro Santos, 36, male, Brazilian, named, non-irishSandro Santos