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. 8668Driving without insurance · Co. Laois · 25 Jan 2026

Man fined for driving without insurance at Portlaoise District Court

Pawel Adam Kowalski, a 38-year-old man, was stopped by Garda Michael Kenneally while driving a silver Audi A6 on the Abbeyleix Road at Meelick, Laois, on January 25, 2026, and was accused of driving without insurance. He appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court, where he admitted the offence and was told that solicitors were withdrawing services because of a dispute, so legal aid was unavailable. Judge Susan Fay fined him €300 and did not disqualify him from driving, as reported on July 9, 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced9 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Pawel Adam Kowalski, a 38-year-old man, was accused of driving without insurance.
Where
The offence is alleged to have taken place on the Abbeyleix Road at Meelick, Laois.
When
The offence is alleged to have happened on January 25, 2026.
Investigation
  • Garda Michael Kenneally stopped the man while he was driving a silver Audi A6.
  • The insurance disc had expired on December 13, 2025.
Charges
He was accused of driving without insurance.
In court
  • He appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court and admitted driving without insurance, as reported on July 9, 2026.
  • Judge Susan Fay told him that solicitors were withdrawing services due to a dispute, so legal aid was unavailable to him.
Sentence
  • Judge Fay fined him €300.
  • The court decided not to disqualify him from driving.
Other details
He had no previous convictions.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe man was driving on the Abbeyleix Road at Meelick. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offence is alleged to have happened on January 25, 2026. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Michael Kenneally stopped the defendant, who was driving a silver Audi A6. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe insurance disc had expired on December 13, 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe was accused of driving without insurance. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtHe appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtHe admitted driving without insurance. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Fay fined him €300. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHe had no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Jul2026
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Man who was told legal aid was unavailable pleads guilty at Portlaoise District Court

    Reports the guilty plea, the garda evidence about the expired insurance disc, the €300 fine and the decision not to disqualify.

    convicted, Pawel Adam Kowalski, 38, male, namedPawel Adam Kowalski