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. 14656Driving without a licence or insurance · Co. Laois · 11 Oct 2024

Portlaoise e-bike rider fined €700 for driving without licence or insurance

Darren Whelan (29), of Broomville Court, Portlaoise, was stopped on 11 October 2024 after an electric scrambler-type bike was seized from him on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise. He admitted driving at about 40kph on a footpath and driving without a licence or insurance. On 8 February 2025 he was fined a total of €700 at Portlaoise District Court, with seven months to pay, and no disqualification was imposed.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced8 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Darren Whelan admitted driving an electric scrambler-type bike at 40kph on a footpath.
Where
The offence took place on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise, Co Laois.
When
The offence took place on 11 October 2024, at about 5pm.
Investigation
He was stopped and the bike was seized.
Charges
He admitted driving without a licence or insurance.
In court
  • The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court.
  • The judge said travelling at 40km on an uninsured bike was a serious matter.
Sentence
  • He was fined a total of €700 and allowed seven months to pay.
  • The judge did not impose a disqualification.
Other details
  • The bike was a Surron Bee, bought before new laws on electric bikes were introduced.
  • He had 26 previous convictions, 16 of them road traffic related.
  • Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the Dublin Road was extremely busy at the time.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe rider admitted driving at 40kph on a footpath in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe offence happened on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offence happened on 11 October 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationHe was stopped and the bike was seized. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe admitted driving without a licence or insurance on the Dublin Road, Portlaoise, on 11 October 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge said travelling at 40km on an uninsured bike was a serious matter. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge did not impose a disqualification. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed fines totalling €700 and allowed seven months to pay. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe bike was an electric scrambler-type bike called a Surron Bee. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe bike was bought before new laws on electric bikes were introduced. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had 26 previous convictions, 16 of them road traffic related. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Feb2025
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Electric 'scrambler' type bike rider in court for not being insured in Portlaoise

    Court report on the sentencing of Darren Whelan at Portlaoise District Court, with details of the bike, speed, previous convictions and the sentence.

    convicted, Darren Whelan, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Whelan