Friday 30 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. 16498Child not restrained in vehicle (seatbelt/booster offence) · Co. Longford · 8 Mar 2023

Man fined €400 for child without seatbelt at Longford District Court

On 8 March 2023 at 9:23am, officers stopped a car at Granard Road, Aghafin, Edgeworthstown, County Longford, driven by Martin Stokes (32) of Corboy, Edgeworthstown. An inspection of the vehicle found an unrestrained three-year-old child in the rear seat with no booster seat or seat belt. Stokes, who had two previous convictions, was fined €400 with six months to pay at Longford District Court, where his solicitor said he was not present. The Longford Leader reported the sentence in July 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced25 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A three-year-old child was in the rear seat of a car without a booster seat or seat belt.
Where
The car was stopped at Granard Road, Aghafin, Edgeworthstown, County Longford.
When
Officers stopped the car on 8 March 2023 at 9:23am.
Cause
The offence was a child restraint offence, with the child not restrained in the vehicle.
Investigation
An inspection of the vehicle found the unrestrained child in the rear seat.
Charges
Martin Stokes (32) of Corboy, Edgeworthstown, Longford, was dealt with for the child restraint offence.
In court
The case was heard at Longford District Court before Judge Bernadette Owens, and the defendant's solicitor said he was not in court for the matter.
Sentence
The judge imposed a €400 fine and gave six months to pay.
Other details
  • The prosecuting sergeant, Mark Mahon, told the court that the defendant had two previous convictions.
  • The sentencing is dated 25 July 2024 in the tracker and was published by the Longford Leader on 29 July 2024.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA three-year-old child was in the rear seat without a booster seat or seat belt. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe driver was fined at Longford District Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe stop took place at Granard Road, Aghafin, Edgeworthstown. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenOfficers stopped the driver on 8 March 2023 at 9:23am. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationAn inspection of the vehicle found the unrestrained child. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe defendant's solicitor said he was not in court for the matter. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a €400 fine and gave six months to pay. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had two previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Jul2024
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford District Court: Fine for no seatbelt on child

    Reports the sentencing of Martin Stokes for a child restraint offence stopped on 8 March 2023 at Granard Road, Edgeworthstown. This is a different incident from existing case 11651, which concerns alcohol theft and a bench warrant.

    convicted, Martin Stokes, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin Stokes