Friday 30 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. 16397Driving without insurance; giving a false name to gardaí · Co. Laois · 6 Jul 2024

Newbridge man sentenced in Portlaoise over false name and no insurance

Brian Fassnidge (47), a man of Newbridge, Co Kildare, was stopped on the Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise, Co Laois, on July 6, 2024, while driving a white Fiat 500 without insurance or a licence, having been stopped for using a mobile phone at the wheel. He initially gave the name Brian Rutledge, but enquiries revealed his true identity, that he was disqualified from driving and that he had 14 previous convictions. He was accused of giving a false name when stopped, and at Portlaoise District Court Judge Andrew Cody gave him a six-month sentence with the final three months suspended for two years, a €750 fine and a seven-year driving disqualification, reported on July 30, 2024. The latest development is that he appealed the sentence before the court sitting ended, and recognisance was fixed in case of appeal.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 Aug
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Brian Fassnidge (47) was accused of giving a false name when stopped driving without insurance and licence.
Where
The stop happened on the Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise, Co Laois.
When
  • The stop occurred on July 6, 2024.
  • The sentence was reported on July 30, 2024.
Cause
He was stopped for using a mobile phone while driving a white Fiat 500.
Investigation
  • He initially gave the name Brian Rutledge, but enquiries revealed his true identity.
  • Enquiries revealed he was disqualified from driving and had 14 previous convictions.
Charges
He was accused of giving a false name when stopped while driving without insurance and licence.
In court
  • The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court before Judge Andrew Cody.
  • The judge noted this was his second offence for no insurance.
  • The judge said the court would be better off reading Enid Blyton than continuing with the solicitor's account.
  • He appealed the sentence before the court sitting ended, and recognisance was fixed in case of appeal.
Sentence
  • He was given six months, with the final three months suspended for two years.
  • He was fined €750 and disqualified from driving for seven years.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe man was stopped while driving without insurance and licence on the Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe case was heard at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe stop happened on the Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe stop occurred on July 6, 2024. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on July 6, 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeHe was stopped for using a mobile phone while driving a white Fiat 500. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationHe initially claimed his name was Brian Rutledge, but enquiries revealed his true identity. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationEnquiries revealed he was disqualified from driving and had 14 previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationEnquiries revealed his true identity, that he was disqualified from driving and that he had 14 previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe was accused of giving a false name when stopped. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe was accused of giving a false name when stopped driving without insurance and licence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge noted this was his second offence for no insurance. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe defendant appealed the sentence before the court sitting ended, and recognisance was fixed in case of appeal. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge described the defendant's account as poppycock and said the court would do better to read Enid Blyton. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge noted this was the defendant's second offence for no insurance. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe defendant appealed the sentence before the court sitting ended. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceHe was given a six-month sentence, with the final three months suspended for two years. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceHe was fined €750 and disqualified from driving for seven years. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant was stopped for using a mobile phone while driving a white Fiat 500. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant initially gave the name Brian Rutledge. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Aug2024
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Laois Judge says court better off reading Enid Blyton than continuing with solictor's explanation

    First report of this case. Covers the court sentence, the judge's comments, and the alias the defendant initially gave (Brian Rutledge). Solicitor Philip Meagher is named only as the defendant's solicitor, so this is not the existing Meagher case (id 120).

    convicted, Brian Fassnidge, 47, male, namedBrian Fassnidge
  2. 1 Aug2024
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, follow-up
    Midlands Judge says court better off reading Enid Blyton than continuing with solictor's explaination

    Adds the sentence (six months with three suspended, €750 fine, seven-year disqualification), the defendant's address in Newbridge, Co Kildare, the false name he initially gave, his 14 previous convictions, and that he appealed the sentence and recognisance was fixed.

    convicted, Brian Fassnidge, 47, male, namedBrian Fassnidge