Ireland Sentenced for dangerous driving and unaccompanied driving in Clara, Offaly
Graham Newman, 34, was stopped at a checkpoint on Ballycumber Road, Clara on 29 September 2025 and then left at speed towards Erry Mill while driving unaccompanied on a provisional licence. Gardai later called to the address of the registered owner of a 2008 Longford-registered vehicle, where Newman admitted he was an unaccompanied driver and that he had panicked. He was charged with dangerous driving, driving unaccompanied, a second count of dangerous driving, and allegedly failing to provide a breath specimen. Pleas of guilty to one count of dangerous driving and to driving unaccompanied were entered at Tullamore District Court, where Judge Andrew Gubbins imposed a two-year driving ban and a €500 fine with 12 months to pay.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced11 Nov
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Graham Newman, 34, was stopped at a checkpoint on Ballycumber Road, Clara on 29 September 2025 and then left at speed towards Erry Mill.
- He was driving unaccompanied while holding a provisional licence.
- Gardai called to the address of the registered owner of a 2008 Longford-registered vehicle and spoke to Newman, who admitted he was an unaccompanied driver and that he had panicked.
- Charges
- He was charged with one count of dangerous driving, driving unaccompanied, a second count of dangerous driving, and allegedly failing or refusing to provide a breath specimen.
- In court
- Pleas of guilty to one count of dangerous driving and to driving unaccompanied were entered at Tullamore District Court.
- Sentence
- Judge Andrew Gubbins imposed a two-year driving ban and a €500 fine with 12 months to pay.
- Other details
- Newman is in good employment as a social care worker.
- There had been no incidents involving Newman since the offence.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe driver was stopped at a checkpoint and then left at speed. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe driver was a provisional licence holder driving unaccompanied. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe driver admitted he had panicked on the day. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe vehicle was a 2008 Longford-registered vehicle. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred on Ballycumber Road, Clara. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on 29 September 2025. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred at 9pm. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeHe was also prosecuted for another count of dangerous driving and for failing or refusing to provide a breath specimen. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Tullamore District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe driver was disqualified from driving for two years. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe driver was fined €500 with 12 months to pay. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe driver works as a social care worker. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThere had been no incidents involving the driver since the incident. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 11 Nov2026Two-year road ban for unaccompanied Offaly driver who 'panicked'
Sentencing details: two-year driving ban and €500 fine with 12 months to pay. Circumstances of the checkpoint stop and the driver's admission that he panicked.
convicted, Graham Newman, 34, male, namedGraham Newmanother, Patrick Martin, malePatrick Martinother, Justine Reilly, femaleJustine Reillyother, Andrew Gubbins, maleAndrew Gubbins
This page is put together automatically from the reports listed above. A charge is not a conviction. If something here is wrong or out of date, report it.