Ireland Man accused of falsely nominating dead man as driver at Portlaoise court
Cormac McStay (52) of Clonad, Portlaoise, County Laois, was accused of providing false or misleading information on March 11, 2025, by nominating a dead man as the driver of a car detected speeding at Kill, County Kildare. At Portlaoise District Court, reported on February 7, 2026, his solicitor said he had instructed him to plead guilty, and he admitted falsely using the late father's name and address. Judge Susan Fay said she was minded to order restorative justice. The case was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on June 22, with no sentence yet recorded.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court6 Feb
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Cormac McStay (52) of Clonad, Portlaoise, was accused of providing false or misleading information.
- The accused admitted falsely using the name and address of the late father of two brothers who travelled from London and Belfast to court.
- Where
- The offence was alleged to have taken place at Clonad, Portlaoise, County Laois.
- The car was detected speeding at Kill, County Kildare, according to Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby.
- When
- The offence was alleged to have taken place on March 11, 2025 (the article says March 11 last, and the year is inferred from its February 2026 publication).
- Cause
- The accused filled out a form nominating the late father as the driver of a car.
- Investigation
- The named driver had died before the speeding incident.
- Other details
- The key facts say the nominated driver was a man in Belfast, while the article says he was the late father of the two brothers, who travelled from Belfast and London.
- The solicitor apologised on behalf of the accused.
- In court
- The case was reported from Portlaoise District Court on February 7, 2026.
- Judge Susan Fay said the accused should face the court.
- Judge Susan Fay said she was minded to order restorative justice.
- The case was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on June 22.
- Charges
- The accused was not present due to work commitments, and his solicitor, Barry Fitzgerald, said he had instructed him to plead guilty to the offence.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCormac McStay was accused of providing false or misleading information. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe accused had admitted falsely using a man's late father's name and address. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe offence was alleged to have taken place at Clonad, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe offence was alleged to have taken place on March 11 last. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeThe accused filled out a form nominating a man in Belfast as the driver of the car. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe named driver had died before the speeding incident. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeThe accused instructed his solicitor to plead guilty to the offence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge said the accused should face the court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge said she was minded to order restorative justice. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on June 22. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe solicitor apologised on behalf of the accused. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 6 Feb2026Brothers travel from London and Belfast to Laois court after father’s name falsely used
Article reports the Portlaoise District Court appearance. The defendant admitted falsely using the late father's name and address, and the judge adjourned the case to June 22 for restorative justice. The year 2025 is inferred from 'March 11 last' in an article published in February 2026.
accused, Cormac McStay, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cormac McStay