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. 10650Driving while disqualified · Co. Laois · 25 Jan 2025

Judge orders arrest of man driving while banned at Portlaoise Plaza

James Preston (46), a man from Raheny, Dublin, was allegedly driving while disqualified at Portlaoise Plaza off the M7 in Co Laois on January 25, 2025. Gardaí stopped him in a black Toyota Avensis, and he reportedly admitted he was disqualified; he was charged with driving without a licence or insurance. He failed to appear before Portlaoise District Court, and on March 3, 2026 a bench warrant was issued for his arrest, which is the latest development reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
James Preston, a man aged 46, was allegedly driving while disqualified.
Where
The alleged offence took place at Portlaoise Plaza, off the M7, in Co Laois.
When
The alleged offence took place on January 25, 2025.
Investigation
  • Garda Inspector Barry Houlihan said the man was stopped while driving a black Toyota Avensis.
  • The man reportedly admitted to gardaí that he was disqualified at the time.
Charges
He was accused of driving without a licence or insurance, which is the charge the court heard, while the case is described as driving while disqualified.
In court
  • Preston failed to appear before Portlaoise District Court.
  • A bench warrant for his arrest was issued by Judge Andrew Cody, reported on March 3, 2026.
Other details
Preston has 92 previous convictions, including 10 for driving while uninsured.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA motorist was allegedly driving while disqualified at Portlaoise Plaza. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe alleged offence took place at Portlaoise Plaza off the M7. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe accused was alleged to have driven without a licence or insurance on January 25, 2025. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationGarda Inspector Barry Houlihan said the man was stopped while driving a black Toyota Avensis. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationThe man admitted to gardaí that he was disqualified at the time. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeThe accused was charged with driving without a licence or insurance. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe accused failed to appear before Portlaoise District Court. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtA bench warrant was issued for the arrest of the motorist. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtJudge Andrew Cody issued a bench warrant for sentencing. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe defendant had 92 previous convictions, including 10 for driving while uninsured. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Mar2026
    In courtkildarenow.com, first report
    Shock as judge orders arrest of man driving while banned at M7 filling station

    First report of this case. Adds that the accused failed to appear, that a bench warrant was issued, and that he admitted to gardaí he was disqualified. Reports his previous convictions.

    accused, James Preston, 46, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Preston