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. 14485Holding a mobile phone while driving · Co. Offaly · 11 Jun 2024

Six-month driving ban and €750 fine for mobile phone offence at Tullamore court

John Paul O'Brien (39), of Feale Drive, Listowel, was summonsed for allegedly holding a mobile phone while driving at The Square, Kilbeggan, County Offaly, on 11 June 2024. Garda Martin Murray told the court he saw a driver holding a phone in his right hand, and a fixed charge penalty notice was issued but not paid. After O'Brien sought an adjournment, Judge Andrew Cody ordered that the prosecution go ahead at Tullamore District Court. On 21 February 2025 O'Brien was sentenced in his absence to a six-month driving ban and a €750 fine.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
Charges
John Paul O'Brien was summonsed for allegedly holding a mobile phone while driving.
Where
  • The offence was alleged to have happened at The Square, Kilbeggan, County Offaly.
  • The sentencing took place at Tullamore District Court.
When
  • The offence was alleged to have happened on 11 June 2024.
  • The sentencing was reported on 21 February 2025.
Investigation
  • Garda Martin Murray told the court he saw a driver holding a mobile phone in his right hand.
  • A fixed charge penalty notice was issued but was not paid.
In court
  • O'Brien contacted the court seeking an adjournment.
  • Judge Andrew Cody ordered that the prosecution go ahead.
Sentence
  • A six-month driving ban was imposed on O'Brien in his absence.
  • A fine of €750 was imposed.
Other details
  • O'Brien had previous convictions, including two for holding mobile phones while driving.
  • The named defendant is 39, but a photo caption in one report refers to a 19-year-old.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJohn Paul O'Brien was summonsed for allegedly holding a mobile phone while driving. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe sentencing took place at Tullamore District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe offence was alleged to have happened at The Square, Kilbeggan. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offence was alleged to have happened on June 11 last year. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Martin Murray said he saw a driver holding a mobile phone in his right hand. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationA fixed charge penalty notice was issued but was not paid. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Cody ordered that the prosecution go ahead. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceA six-month driving ban was imposed in O'Brien's absence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceA fine of €750 was imposed. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherO'Brien contacted the court seeking an adjournment. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherO'Brien had previous convictions, including two for holding mobile phones while driving. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Feb2025
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Six-month driving ban and fine imposed at Tullamore District Court for mobile phone offence

    First report of this case. Sentenced in absence after requesting an adjournment. The photo caption refers to a 19-year-old, but the named defendant is 39.

    convicted, John Paul O'Brien, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Paul O'Brien