Ireland Malin Head man sentenced over uninsured quad bike crash
On the evening of August 30, 2025, a red Honda TRX520 quad bike that was not insured crashed at about 9.12pm in Culkeeny, Malin, Co Donegal, and no one else was injured. Stephen McLaughlin, a 53-year-old man from Lower Braghey, Malin Head, was identified as the driver, and gardaí called to his home on September 22, 2025. He pleaded guilty at Carndonagh District Court sitting in Buncrana to driving without insurance and driving without a licence, and was disqualified from driving for two years and fined a total of €350 with four months to pay. In sentencing, Judge Emile Daly said he should not have been driving under any circumstances because of his health condition, and the most recent report on the case was published in April 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced22 Apr
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The collision involved a red Honda TRX520 quad bike that was not insured.
- Where
- The collision happened at about 9.12pm in Culkeeny, Malin, Co Donegal.
- When
- Gardaí were alerted to a road traffic collision on the evening of August 30, 2025.
- The court report was published on April 25, 2026, although the article's metadata dates it April 22, 2026.
- Cause
- It is believed a suspected epileptic seizure may have caused the crash.
- Investigation
- On September 22, 2025, Garda Tara McGrory called to his home and asked him to produce a certificate of insurance or an exemption.
- He told Garda McGrory he did not hold a driving licence and confirmed the quad bike was not insured.
- Charges
- He pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and driving without a licence.
- In court
- He appeared before Carndonagh District Court sitting in Buncrana, where Sergeant Conor Mulkerns outlined the facts.
- Judge Emile Daly warned that he should not have been driving under any circumstances, given his health condition.
- Sentence
- He was disqualified from driving for two years and fined €250 for driving without insurance.
- A further €100 fine was imposed for driving without a licence, bringing the total to €350.
- He was given four months to pay the fines.
- Other details
- The quad bike belongs to his sister and he was using it for farm work.
- No one else was injured in the crash.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe collision happened at about 9.12pm in Culkeeny, Malin. (donegallive.ie)
- whenGardaí were alerted to a road traffic collision on the evening of August 30, 2025. (donegallive.ie)
- causeIt is believed an epileptic seizure may have caused the crash. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGarda Tara McGrory called to his home on September 22, 2025 and asked him to produce a certificate of insurance or an exemption. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationHe told Garda McGrory he did not hold a driving licence and confirmed the quad bike was not insured. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and driving without a licence. (donegallive.ie)
- courtHe appeared before Carndonagh District Court sitting in Buncrana. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceHe was disqualified from driving for two years and fined €250 for driving without insurance. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceA further €100 fine was imposed for driving without a licence, bringing the total to €350. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceHe was given four months to pay the fines. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe vehicle involved was a red Honda TRX520 quad. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe quad bike belongs to his sister and he was using it for farm work. (donegallive.ie)
- otherNo one else was injured in the crash. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Apr2026Farmer who crashed quad shouldn’t have been driving due to epilepsy, court told
Court report on sentencing. Adds the sentence, the court, the suspected medical cause of the crash and the follow-up Garda inquiry at his home.
convicted, Stephen McLaughlin, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen McLaughlin