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. 13690Refusing to give information to Gardaí · Co. Limerick

Rathkeale man pleads guilty to refusing to name driver who fled checkpoint

James O'Brien, a 59-year-old man of Roches Road, Rathkeale, County Limerick, pleaded guilty in Newcastle West District Court to refusing to give Gardaí information about who was driving his car. The car did not stop when Gardaí signalled it to in Rathkeale and was later found abandoned. O'Brien admitted owning the car but said he was not driving it and would not name the driver, and his solicitor said he was protecting a relative. The reports do not give the incident date. The latest development, reported on May 20, 2025, is that Judge Adrian Harris adjourned sentencing to September 12 for a probation report.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted20 May
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • James O'Brien, a 59-year-old man, admitted to Gardaí that he owned the car.
  • He said he was not driving the car on the occasion and would not identify the driver.
  • Gardaí signalled the car to stop in Rathkeale, but it did not stop and was later found abandoned.
Where
O'Brien lives at 9 Roches Road, Rathkeale, County Limerick.
When
The reports do not give the date of the incident.
Cause
O'Brien's solicitor said he was protecting a relative by not naming the driver.
Other details
  • The solicitor said O'Brien had otherwise co-operated with Gardaí, who were reliant on information he did give them.
  • The car was registered in the name of O'Brien's wife.
  • O'Brien had previous motoring convictions dating back to 2013 but none in Ireland since.
Charges
He pleaded guilty before Newcastle West District Court to refusing to give information to Gardaí.
In court
Judge Adrian Harris adjourned sentencing to September 12 for a probation report.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatO’Brien admitted to Gardaí that he owned the car but said he was not driving it and would not identify the driver. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whatGardaí signalled the car to stop in Rathkeale, but it did not stop and was later found abandoned. (limerickpost.ie)
  • whereThe accused lives at Roches Road, Rathkeale, County Limerick. (limerickpost.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to refusing to give information to Gardaí. (limerickpost.ie)
  • courtJudge Adrian Harris adjourned sentencing to September 12 for a probation report. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe solicitor said O’Brien was protecting a relative by not naming the driver. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherThe car was registered in the accused's wife's name. (limerickpost.ie)
  • otherO’Brien had previous motoring convictions dating back to 2013 but none in Ireland since. (limerickpost.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 May2025
    Convictedlimerickpost.ie, first report
    Limerick man who refused to give Gardaí name of driver who fled checkpoint up on charge

    Reports the guilty plea, the court's adjournment of sentencing to September 12 for a probation report, and the defence account that the accused was protecting a relative. The incident date is not given.

    convicted, James O'Brien, 59, male, named, irish (judged from name)James O'Brien