Sunday 1 November 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. 8658Non-conforming number plates · Co. Laois

Woman sentenced for non-conforming number plates in Portlaoise

Shania McCormack, a 24-year-old woman from Mountmellick, was stopped by Garda Dylan Hogan on the Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise on 27 October 2025 for having non-conforming number plates on the front and rear of her black Ford Focus. Fixed charge penalty notices were issued but went unpaid, leading to a summons at Portlaoise District Court. McCormack pleaded guilty, and the case was adjourned to the 2 July 2026 sitting. Judge Susan Fay fined her €130 for each plate with six months to pay, while Judge Cody warned that offenders face disqualification.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court23 Jun
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced10 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The accused had non-conforming number plates on the front and rear of her vehicle.
Where
The offence took place on the Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Laois.
When
The stop took place on 27 October 2025.
Investigation
  • Garda Dylan Hogan stopped a registered black Ford Focus and issued fixed charge penalty notices which went unpaid.
  • The ANPR camera in the garda car did not detect any details from the plates because non-conforming plates do not register on the system.
Charges
McCormack was summonsed for affixing non-conforming registration plates to the front and rear of her car.
In court
  • McCormack pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court and had no previous convictions.
  • The case was adjourned to the 2 July 2026 sitting, and Judge Cody warned that offenders face disqualification.
Sentence
Judge Susan Fay fined McCormack €130 for each number plate with six months to pay.
Other details
  • McCormack told the judge she had recently changed the plates and was not aware she was breaking the law.
  • Gardaí had only been given powers to prosecute for non-conforming plates in the previous year and a half.
23 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused had non-conforming number plates on her vehicle. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereMcCormack was stopped while driving on the Abbeyleix Road in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe offence took place on the Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe stop took place on 27 October 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place on October 27. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Hogan issued McCormack with fixed charge penalty notices for the offences, which went unpaid. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe ANPR camera in the garda car did not detect any details from McCormack's plates. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Dylan Hogan stopped a registered black Ford Focus on the Abbeyleix Road and issued a fine that was not paid. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationNon-conforming number plates do not register on the Garda ANPR system. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeMcCormack was summonsed for affixing non-conforming registration plates to the front and rear of her car. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtMcCormack pleaded guilty to the offences. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge was told McCormack has no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge told McCormack it is illegal to have non-conforming number plates. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned for finalisation to the 2 July sitting of the court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtPortlaoise District Court was told non-conforming number plates cannot be read by the Garda ANPR system. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe accused had no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe accused's solicitor said she was pleading guilty. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Susan Fay fined the woman €130 for each number plate and gave her six months to pay. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherMcCormack told the judge she had recently changed the plates. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherJudge Cody warned that people charged with illegal number plates face disqualification. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherGardaí had only been given powers to prosecute for non-conforming plates in the last year and a half. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused had worked in retail until recently. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused said she was not aware she was breaking the law. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Jul2026
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Laois Garda says ANPR can’t read non conforming number plates

    Court report on the sentencing. It adds the guilty plea, the fine, and the explanation that Garda ANPR cannot read non-conforming plates. The article gives no year for the October 27 incident.

    convicted, Shania McCormack, 25, female, named, irish (judged from name)Shania McCormack
  2. 23 Jun2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Judge issues warning over non- conforming number plates in Laois

    Reports the court appearance: McCormack pleaded guilty, has no previous convictions, and the case was adjourned to the 2 July sitting. Judge Cody warned that offenders face disqualification.

    accused, Shania McCormack, 24, female, named, irish (judged from name)Shania McCormack