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. 10663Allowing or using a vehicle without a certificate of roadworthiness · Co. Kildare · 29 Sep 2025

Kildare farmer and farm worker fined over unroadworthy van

On 29 September 2025 a 15-year-old Opel Combi van was stopped on the R445 at Clogheen, Monasterevin, County Kildare, and its certificate of roadworthiness was found to have expired. The van was registered to Peter Kavanagh (71), a farmer, and was being driven by Sandro Santos (36), a farm worker who is a Brazilian national. Kavanagh was accused of allowing the use of a vehicle without a certificate of roadworthiness, and Santos of using such a vehicle, and both cases were heard at Portlaoise District Court. The latest development, reported on 3 March 2026, is that Kavanagh was fined €1,500 and Santos was fined €100, with recognisance fixed in case of appeal.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced3 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The case concerns a 15-year-old Opel Combi van used without a valid certificate of roadworthiness.
Where
The incident took place on the R445 at Clogheen, Monasterevin, County Kildare.
When
The incident occurred on 29 September 2025.
Investigation
The driver was stopped and the van's certificate of roadworthiness was found to have expired.
Other details
  • The van was insured and taxed, but its certificate of roadworthiness had expired.
  • The van was registered to Peter Kavanagh, a farmer, and Sandro Santos, a farm worker, was driving it.
  • Sandro Santos is a Brazilian national who has worked on the farm for a number of years.
Charges
  • Peter Kavanagh was accused of allowing the use of a vehicle without a certificate of roadworthiness.
  • Sandro Santos was accused of using a vehicle without a certificate of roadworthiness.
In court
The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court and reported on 3 March 2026.
Sentence
  • Peter Kavanagh was fined €1,500.
  • Sandro Santos was fined €100 and recognisance was fixed in case of appeal.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe incident took place on the R445 at Clogheen, Monasterevin. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 29 September 2025. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationThe driver was stopped and the certificate of roadworthiness was found to be expired. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargePeter Kavanagh was accused of allowing the use of a vehicle without a certificate of roadworthiness. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeSandro Santos was accused of using a vehicle without a certificate of roadworthiness. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Portlaoise District Court. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentencePeter Kavanagh was fined €1,500. (kildarenow.com)
  • sentenceSandro Santos was fined €100 and recognisance was fixed in case of appeal. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe van was registered to Peter Kavanagh and Sandro Santos was driving. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe van was a 15-year-old Opel Combi. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe van was insured and taxed, but its certificate of roadworthiness had expired. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherSandro Santos is a Brazilian national who has worked on the farm for a number of years. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Mar2026
    Sentencedkildarenow.com, first report
    LATEST: Kildare farmer in court over 15 year old van

    Court report on the sentencing of two men over the same van incident. No matching existing case.

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