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. 7951Owning an uninsured vehicle · Co. Kilkenny

Man fined for owning uninsured vehicle after checkpoint evasion in Bennettsbridge

On February 27 (year not stated in the article), a van turned away from a garda checkpoint on Main Street, Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny, and the driver and passenger swapped seats. The vehicle's owner, Desmond Connors of Bunclody, Co Wexford, was charged with being the owner of an uninsured vehicle. He pleaded guilty and was convicted at Kilkenny District Court, where Judge Geraldine Carthy imposed a €300 fine, as reported on 24 September 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced24 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A van turned away from a garda checkpoint and the driver and passenger swapped seats.
Where
The garda checkpoint was on Main Street, Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny.
When
  • The checkpoint incident took place on February 27, at 9.08pm according to Garda Damien Rafter; the article does not state the year.
  • The court report was published on 24 September 2026.
Investigation
Garda Damien Rafter said he saw the van approaching from the direction of the bridge at 9.08pm.
Other details
  • The person in the driving seat was arrested for drink driving.
  • The vehicle has since been disposed of.
Charges
Desmond Connors of Bunclody, Co Wexford, was charged with being the owner of an uninsured vehicle.
In court
Connors pleaded guilty at Kilkenny District Court and was convicted of the charge.
Sentence
Judge Geraldine Carthy imposed a fine of €300.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA van turned away from the checkpoint and the driver and passenger swapped seats. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereA garda checkpoint was located on Main Street, Bennettsbridge. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe checkpoint incident took place on February 27, with the article not stating the year. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeConnors was convicted of being the owner of an uninsured vehicle. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtConnors pleaded guilty to the charge. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Geraldine Carthy imposed a fine of €300. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe person in the driving seat was arrested for drink driving. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defendant is 19 years old. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe vehicle has since been disposed of. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Sep2026
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Man who tried to avoid Kilkenny garda checkpoint is fined in court

    Reports the court conviction and €300 fine for Desmond Connors, who was the owner of the uninsured vehicle, and the circumstances of the checkpoint incident.

    convicted, Desmond Connors, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)Desmond Connors