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. 8658Non-conforming number plates · Co. Laois

Mountmelick woman fined for non-conforming number plates in Portlaoise

On October 27, Shania McCormack (25), of Mountmelick, had non-conforming number plates on her vehicle on the Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois; the articles do not give the year. Garda Dylan Hogan stopped her registered black Ford Focus and issued a fine, which was not paid. At Portlaoise District Court her solicitor, Philip Meagher, said she was pleading guilty, and she had no previous convictions. On 10 July 2026, Judge Susan Fay fined her €130 for each number plate and gave her six months to pay.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced10 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Shania McCormack, 25, of Mountmelick, had non-conforming number plates on her vehicle.
Where
The offence took place on the Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
When
The offence took place on October 27; the articles do not give the year.
Investigation
  • Garda Dylan Hogan stopped a registered black Ford Focus on the Abbeyleix Road and issued a fine, which was not paid.
  • Non-conforming number plates cannot be read by the Garda ANPR system.
Other details
  • Gardaí had only been given powers to prosecute for non-conforming number plates in the last year and a half.
  • She had worked in retail until recently.
  • She said she was not aware she was breaking the law.
In court
  • Portlaoise District Court was told the accused had no previous convictions.
  • Her solicitor, Philip Meagher, said she was pleading guilty.
Sentence
Judge Susan Fay fined her €130 for each number plate and gave her six months to pay.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused had non-conforming number plates on her vehicle. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe offence took place on the Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place on October 27. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Dylan Hogan stopped a registered black Ford Focus on the Abbeyleix Road and issued a fine that was not paid. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationNon-conforming number plates do not register on the Garda ANPR system. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtPortlaoise District Court was told non-conforming number plates cannot be read by the Garda ANPR system. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe accused had no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe accused's solicitor said she was pleading guilty. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Susan Fay fined the woman €130 for each number plate and gave her six months to pay. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherGardaí had only been given powers to prosecute for non-conforming plates in the last year and a half. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused had worked in retail until recently. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused said she was not aware she was breaking the law. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Jul2026
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Laois Garda says ANPR can’t read non conforming number plates

    Court report on the sentencing. It adds the guilty plea, the fine, and the explanation that Garda ANPR cannot read non-conforming plates. The article gives no year for the October 27 incident.

    convicted, Shania McCormack, 25, female, named, irish (judged from name)Shania McCormack