Kildare driver had no insurance for almost a year as wife 'overlooked' it - court hears
‘He was shocked and unaware that his insurance had expired’
A Kildare civil servant was driving for almost a year without insurance because his wife “overlooked” renewing his policy, a sitting of Portlaoise District Court was told.
Damien Wyse (45) of Abbeylands, Castledermot, Co Kildare pleaded guilty at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court to driving without insurance at Ballykilcavan, Laois on January 13, 2026.
Garda Niamh Bergin gave evidence of stopping a 171 registered silver Skoda car on January 13. She said the insurance disc on the car had expired on February 21, 2025.
“He was shocked and unaware that his insurance had expired,” said Garda Bergin.
She said the insurance company was contacted and they confirmed that the policy had not been renewed.
Garda Bergin said the accused had believed there would be an “auto rollover” of his insurance policy but that had not happened. She said the man had no previous convictions.
Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client was pleading guilty to driving without insurance.
“I can hand in a certificate of insurance that was taken out the next day,” said Mr Meagher.
He said his client has been driving for 27 years and had no previous convictions or even any penalty points.
Mr Meagher acknowledged that his client was effectively driving without insurance for 12 months.
“With an out of date certificate in his window,” noted Judge Edward Carroll.
Mr Meagher said a family member had been dealing with a medical issue around that time and “his wife overlooked renewing the insurance”. He said his client was “extremely embarrassed” and worked as a civil servant in a Government Department. He asked Judge Carroll to exercise his discretion and not to impose a driving disqualification.
Judge Carroll noted the family had been dealing with difficulties and he accepted that it was an “oversight” on the part of the accused. He fined the man €500 but said he would not disqualify him from driving for the offence.