Thursday 5 November 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. 28593Dangerous driving · Co. Westmeath · 27 Feb 2021

Man ordered to do community service over dangerous driving in Kilbeggan

Henry Masterson, a 36-year-old man, was charged with dangerous driving after overtaking four cars on a bend on Tullamore Road, Kilbeggan, on 27 February 2021, one of which was an unmarked Garda patrol car. He was charged under section 53(1), and at Tullamore Circuit Court in January 2022 the defence said he had been ill and needed to urinate urgently. The judge ordered him to engage with a community service programme and adjourned the matter to 23 February 2022, with the reports differing on whether disqualification would follow.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Jan
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Henry Masterson, a 36-year-old man, was charged with dangerous driving after overtaking four cars on a bend.
  • One of the cars overtaken was an unmarked Garda patrol car.
Where
The incident took place on Tullamore Road, Kilbeggan, and the case record gives the county as Westmeath, while one report headline places it in Offaly.
When
The incident took place on 27 February 2021.
Cause
The defence said he was ill with a condition that made him need to urinate frequently, and that he overtook the cars to reach a layby quickly.
Investigation
Sergeant James O'Sullivan gave evidence to the court.
Charges
He was charged with an act of dangerous driving contrary to section 53(1).
In court
  • The case was heard at Tullamore Circuit Court before Judge Catherine Staines, and the defence solicitor was Donal Farrelly.
  • The matter was adjourned to 23 February 2022.
Sentence
  • The judge ordered him to engage with a community service programme.
  • Reports differ on driving disqualification: one says the judge would not disqualify him if he engages well with the programme, while another says he would face a conditional driving disqualification.
Other details
  • He was 36 years old with no previous convictions, and reports say he is a former soldier who worked as a truck driver on a tour of duty in Lebanon.
  • The judge said he was very lucky there was no dreadful accident.
28 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMr Masterson overtook four cars on a bend. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatHenry Masterson lives at 9 Curragh Rua, Lanesboro, Ballyleague, Longford (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatHe overtook four cars on a bend (longfordleader.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe defendant was suffering from an illness that made him want to urinate frequently (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatHe is a soldier who worked as a truck driver during a tour of duty in Lebanon (longfordleader.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatHe was 36 years old with no previous convictions (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatOne of the cars he overtook was an unmarked Garda patrol car. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe dangerous driving happened on Tullamore Road, Kilbeggan. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred on Tullamore Road, Kilbeggan (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe offence was on February 27, 2021. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 27 February 2021 (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationOne of the cars overtaken was an unmarked garda patrol car. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeHenry Masterson was charged with an act of dangerous driving contrary to section 53 (1). (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with dangerous driving contrary to section 53(1) (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeHenry Masterson was charged with dangerous driving under section 53(1) on Tullamore Road, Kilbeggan, on 27 February 2021. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to February 23. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtSergeant James O'Sullivan gave evidence to the court (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtDefending solicitor was Donal Farrelly (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Catherine Staines presided over the hearing (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to 23 February (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Catherine Staines ordered him to engage with a community service programme and adjourned the matter to 23 February. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge ordered the defendant to engage with a community service programme. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said she would not disqualify him from driving if he engages well with the programme. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the accused was ill and needed to urinate frequently at the time. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said he overtook the cars to reach a layby quickly. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused was 36 years old and had no previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the accused was very lucky there was no dreadful accident. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHe was 36 years old and had no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Jan2022
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, its first report
    Midlands man in rush to urinate overtook four cars including a Garda car

    First court appearance; defendant claimed he needed to urinate urgently; ordered to engage with community service programme; matter adjourned to 23 February with a conditional driving disqualification.

    accused, Henry Masterson, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Henry Masterson
  2. 3 Jan2022
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, its first report
    Longford man charged with dangerous driving after overtaking four cars on a bend

    Provides full details of the Tullamore Circuit Court hearing: the defence of illness causing urgent need to urinate, the defendant's background as a soldier and truck driver in Lebanon, his lack of previous convictions, and Judge Staines' order for community service with a conditional driving disqualification, adjourned to 23 February 2022.

    suspect, Henry Masterson, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Henry Masterson
  3. 3 Jan2022
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Man charged with dangerous driving after overtaking four cars on a bend in Offaly

    Reports the Tullamore Circuit Court sitting in detail: the defence explanation, the judge's remarks, the community service order, the adjournment to February 23, and the statement that disqualification will not follow if he engages well.

    accused, Henry Masterson, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Henry Masterson