Ireland Man jailed for three months for driving uninsured on M7 near Portlaoise
On 21 April 2023 Abdul Shakoor Awan, 44, of Portarlington, was stopped by gardaí at 5.30pm on the M7 at Cappakeel, Portlaoise, Co Laois, and asked for his insurance and licence. Gardaí said he had five previous road traffic convictions, three for no insurance, and the judge said he had effectively been disqualified since 2019 but still owned a car. At Portlaoise Court in May 2023 Awan admitted driving without insurance, and the judge imposed a three-month prison sentence and a €500 fine after his solicitor said he had taken a chance when prior transport arrangements fell through. The judge fixed recognisance pending appeal, and Awan appealed the sentence shortly after the case concluded, as reported on 16 May 2023.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced12 May
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Abdul Shakoor Awan, 44, of Portarlington, was stopped while driving without insurance.
- Where
- The offence took place on the M7 at Cappakeel, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
- When
- The offence occurred on 21 April 2023 at about 5.30pm.
- Investigation
- Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said gardaí stopped the defendant and made a lawful demand for insurance and licence.
- Charges
- Awan admitted driving without insurance.
- Other details
- Gardaí said Awan had five previous convictions, all for road traffic offences, three of them for no insurance.
- The defence said Awan was going to a family function on the last day of Ramadan when he was stopped, and that prior transport arrangements had fallen through so he had taken a chance.
- The defence said a prison sentence would cause huge difficulty for Awan's family.
- Awan appealed the sentence shortly after the case concluded.
- In court
- The judge said Awan had effectively been disqualified from driving since 2019 but still owned a car.
- The judge said it was Awan's fourth offence for not having insurance.
- The judge fixed recognisance in case of appeal.
- Sentence
- The judge imposed a three-month prison sentence and fined Awan €500.
21 statements extracted from the articles
- whereAwan was stopped by gardaí on the M7 at Cappakeel, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe offence took place on the M7 at Cappakeel, Portlaoise. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe offence occurred on 21 April 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí made a lawful demand for insurance and licence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí stopped the defendant on the M7 at Cappakeel at 5.30pm on the date in question. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationA lawful demand was made for insurance and licence. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeAwan admitted driving without insurance. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeAbdul Shakoor Awan admitted driving without insurance. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge fixed recognisance in case of appeal. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge said the defendant had effectively been disqualified from driving since 2019 but still owned a car. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge said it was the defendant's fourth offence for not having insurance. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceAwan was given a three-month prison sentence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceAwan was fined €500. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a three-month prison sentence and fined the defendant €500. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherGardaí said Awan had five previous convictions, all for road traffic offences, three of them for no insurance. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe solicitor said prior transport arrangements had fallen through and Awan had taken a chance. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherAwan appealed the sentence shortly after the case concluded. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe defendant had five previous convictions, all for road traffic offences, including three for no insurance. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe defence said the defendant was going to a family function on the last day of Ramadan when he was stopped. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe defence said a prison sentence would cause huge difficulty for the defendant's family. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe defendant appealed the sentence shortly after the case concluded. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 16 May2023Court told uninsured car in the Midlands wasn’t Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Court report on the sentencing of Abdul Shakoor Awan, including the garda evidence, his previous convictions, the judge's comments, the sentence and his appeal. The case is not in the existing list.
convicted, Abdul Shakoor Awan, 44, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Abdul Shakoor Awan - 12 May2023Uninsured car wasn’t Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Portlaoise Court hears
Adds the defence solicitor's mitigation, the garda evidence of five previous road traffic convictions, the judge's remarks on the defendant's disqualification and car ownership, the fine, and that the defendant appealed the sentence.
convicted, Abdul Shakoor Awan, 44, male, namedAbdul Shakoor Awan