Carlow driver with ‘no regard for law’ sentenced to five months
Carlow Courthouse
A CARLOW driver received a five month prison sentence and was put off the road for eight years after he appeared before the local district court recently for driving without insurance or a drivers' licence.
On 30 September 2025, Garda John Byrne was operating a checkpoint on Athy Road when he observed an approaching vehicle turn back. The driver was subsequently identified as Uncas Burcea of 38 Old Burrin, Carlow and arrested for driving without a licence or insurance, contrary to section 38 of the .
Mr Burcea (36) has 24 previous convictions, one in respect of not having a driving licence and 17 for road traffic offences. He received a three-month prison sentence in July 2025 for one such offence and was disqualified from driving at the time of the incident three months later.
His solicitor Joe Farrell said that his client accepted there was no excuse for his behaviour, that he should not be behind the wheel. He further said that Mr Burcea has moved on with life, is now working in a garage in Athy and takes the train to work every day. He said his client would like to demonstrate remorse by working in the community.
Judge Geraldine Carthy said the defendant’s previous convictions were aggravating factors in the case and that Mr Burcea “seemed to have no regard for the law”.
“There’s no doubt in my mind this has reached the threshold of a custodial sentence,” she continued.
She sentenced Mr Burcea to five months in prison and disqualified him from driving for eight years.
