Ireland Man convicted over unpaid speeding fine at Portlaoise District Court, fined €1,000
On 20 March 2025, a garda on traffic duty detected a black Audi driven by Mark Heffernan, a man, travelling at 153km/h in a 120km/h zone on the M7 at Ballydavis, Portlaoise, County Laois. A fixed charge penalty notice went unpaid, and the garda said he personally served a summons on Mr Heffernan on 5 September 2025 at John Carew Park FC in Southill. At Portlaoise District Court, reported on 22 March 2026, Mr Heffernan contested the summons and alleged a vendetta by the garda, which the judge did not accept; he was convicted, fined €1,000 and disqualified from driving for six months. A bond and cash lodgement were fixed in case he appealed, and he took up the option to appeal.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced22 Mar
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Mark Heffernan, a man, was convicted at Portlaoise District Court over non-payment of a speeding fine.
- Where
- The speeding incident took place on the M7 at Ballydavis, Portlaoise, County Laois.
- When
- The incident took place at about 9.30am on 20 March 2025.
- Cause
- A garda on traffic duty detected a black Audi travelling at 153km/h in a 120km/h zone.
- Investigation
- A fixed charge penalty notice was issued and went unpaid.
- Garda Stephen O'Hanlon said he personally served the summons on Mr Heffernan on 5 September 2025 at John Carew Park FC in Southill.
- Charges
- Mr Heffernan contested a summons for non-payment of a speeding fine.
- In court
- Mr Heffernan denied driving at that speed when the garda spoke to him at the scene.
- Mr Heffernan's barrister said he would claim a vendetta against him by the garda, but Mr Heffernan declined to explain what the issue was.
- The judge said he did not believe Mr Heffernan's account.
- Sentence
- The judge convicted Mr Heffernan of the offence, fined him €1,000 and disqualified him from driving for six months.
- A bond and cash lodgement were fixed in case Mr Heffernan appealed, and he took up the option to appeal.
- Other details
- A garda found evidence of three road traffic offences on Mr Heffernan's record.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe speeding incident took place on the M7 at Ballydavis, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe speeding incident took place on 20 March last year. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationA garda detected a black Audi car travelling at 153km in a 120km/h zone. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationA fixed charge penalty notice was issued and went unpaid. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationA garda said he personally served the summons on Mr Heffernan on 5 September 2025 at John Carew Park FC in Southill. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeMr Heffernan contested a summons for non-payment of a speeding fine. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtMr Heffernan's barrister said he would claim there was a vendetta against him by the garda. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge said he did not believe Mr Heffernan's account. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge convicted Mr Heffernan of the offence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceMr Heffernan was fined €1,000 and disqualified from driving for six months. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceA bond and cash lodgement were fixed in case Mr Heffernan appealed, and he took up the option to appeal. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherA garda found evidence of three road traffic offences on Mr Heffernan's record. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Mar2026Vendetta accusation made against garda, Laois court hears
Court report on the hearing where the conviction, €1,000 fine, six-month disqualification and appeal were recorded. Also reports the defence's claim of a vendetta by the serving garda, which the judge rejected.
convicted, Mark Heffernan, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark Heffernan