Carlow driver whose car tax had expired over two years ago fined €250
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A CARLOW man whose vehicle was found displaying a tax disc that had expired more than two years previously has been fined €250. Johnny O’Shea, Dolmen Heights, Pollerton, Carlow appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy at Carlow District Court in relation to the offence.
The court heard that on 14 June 2025, Garda Phelan was on patrol in Hadden’s car park, Carlow town when he observed a vehicle not displaying a current tax disc. The tax had expired in April 2023.
The vehicle was seized at the scene under section 41 of the .
“The tax had expired for over two years?” Judge Carthy asked in disbelief.
Garda Phelan told the court that the 41-year-old defendant had one previous conviction for an offence of non-display of tax and that his last offence dated from June 2025 for not having a valid NCT, for which he received a fine of €250.
Judge Carthy asked if there had been a fee to recover the vehicle from the pound. The garda confirmed there was a fee of €125 and that the car “stays in the pound until then”.
“Was the car taken back?” asked the judge.
Solicitor Joe Farrell, representing Mr O’Shea, said: “I’d be surprised if it was. He’s not a dealer in cars, but I would be amazed if this car had been used for two years without tax. He has a lot of cars parked up to get going again for resale.”
Mr Farrell added: “The gardaí are very good in Carlow. It wouldn’t have gone undetected for that long.”
Judge Carthy convicted and fined the defendant €250, with 90 days to pay.
