Ireland Case No. 11247Fraud · Co. Donegal · 8 Apr 2024
Teacher convicted of fraud over attempt to exchange fake Polish driving licence, Buncrana
Ciaran Doherty, a 43-year-old secondary school teacher, tried to exchange a false Polish driving licence for a genuine Irish licence. The National Driver Licence Service suspected the Polish licence was false after an online exchange application was submitted, which was detected on 8 April 2024. Doherty was arrested and interviewed on 19 November 2024, and at Buncrana District Court he pleaded guilty to one count of fraudulently attempting to obtain a licence, with a second charge dropped. The judge imposed a €1,000 fine with four months to pay, and reports of the conviction were published on 31 January and 1 February 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced29 Jan
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Ciaran Doherty, a 43-year-old secondary school teacher, attempted to exchange a false Polish driving licence (described in one report as a driver's permit) for a genuine Irish licence.
- When
- The offence was detected on 8 April 2024, when an online exchange application was submitted.
- Investigation
- The National Driver Licence Service immediately suspected the Polish licence was false.
- Doherty was arrested and interviewed on 19 November 2024.
- Charges
- Doherty pleaded guilty to one count of fraudulently attempting to obtain a licence.
- A second charge concerning an attempt to exchange a fake South Korean licence was dropped after the guilty plea.
- In court
- The case was heard at Buncrana District Court, Donegal, where Doherty was convicted of fraud.
- Sentence
- The judge imposed a fine of €1,000 with four months to pay.
- Recognisance was fixed at €150 in case Doherty appeals.
- Other details
- The garda sergeant told the court that Doherty has no previous convictions.
- The defence said Doherty acted under pressure at home while caring for his father and asked for the Probation Act or a charitable donation instead of a conviction.
- The judge ruled that a conviction was appropriate.
21 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCiaran Doherty attempted to exchange a false Polish driving licence for a genuine Irish licence. (donegallive.ie)
- whatCiaran Doherty pleaded guilty to one count of fraudulently attempting to obtain a licence. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatHe attempted to exchange a false Polish driver's permit for a genuine Irish licence. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe offence was detected on April 8, 2024, when an online exchange application was submitted. (donegallive.ie)
- whenDoherty was arrested on November 19, 2024 and interviewed. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe offence was detected on April 8, 2024, when an online application was submitted. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe National Driver Licence Service immediately suspected the Polish licence was false. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe accused was arrested on November 19, 2024 and interviewed. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeDoherty pleaded guilty to one count of fraudulently attempting to obtain a licence. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeA second charge of attempting to exchange a fake South Korean licence was dropped. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeA second charge concerning a fake South Korean licence was dropped after the guilty plea. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Buncrana District Court. (donegallive.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceDoherty was fined €1,000, with four months to pay. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceRecognisance was fixed at €150 in case Doherty appeals. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a fine of €1,000 with four months to pay. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherDoherty has no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe defence said Doherty acted under pressure at home while caring for his father. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe court heard that Doherty is a 43-year-old secondary school teacher. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe garda sergeant told the court the accused has no previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe defence asked for the Probation Act or a charitable donation instead of a conviction. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe judge ruled that a conviction was appropriate. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Feb2026Teacher who obtained a fake driving licence on the Internet is convicted of fraud
Reports the guilty plea, conviction and €1,000 fine at Buncrana District Court; the second charge concerning a South Korean licence was dropped.
convicted, Ciaran Doherty, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ciaran Doherty - 29 Jan2026Teacher who obtained a fake driving licence on the Internet is convicted of fraud
Court report on the conviction and €1,000 fine for attempting to exchange a false Polish driving licence. The article gives details of the detection, arrest and mitigation that are not in the existing case list.
convicted, Ciaran Doherty, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ciaran Doherty