A young Tipperary farmer was recently given a chance to attend community service after he was caught driving while disqualified.
Tyler McCormack (22) of Grawn, Fethard, Tipperary, appeared before Judge John Cheatle at a December sitting of Waterford District Court for driving without insurance, contrary to Section 56 (1) and (3) of the Road Traffic Act, relating to an incident where he was stopped by Gardaí on the Cork Road, Waterford, on 14 August 2025.
The court heard that on that day, Gardaí stopped the accused while driving after they observed him on his phone. After speaking to him, they discovered that he was driving while serving out a six-year disqualification for driving with no insurance that was handed to him at Cashel District Court in January 2023.
The accused was represented in court by solicitor Ken Cunningham, who noted that his client works on a farm, and being able to drive is useful for many of the required jobs on the farm. He stated that in relation to the accused’s previous conviction for driving without insurance, another conviction would mean that him getting an insurance premium in the future would be “almost prohibitive.”
Mr Cunningham said that his client “took a chance” by leaving Tipperary on the day to go to Waterford,and was stopped by Gardaí. Letters from his mother and father were also presented to Judge Cheatle, which detailed how he was “dealt a difficult hand growing up” A letter of apology from the accused and a letter from his employer were also prepared, but not read out.
After considering the letters, Judge Cheatle said the family are “doing their best” and asked if the accused would like to avail of community service, to which Mr Cunningham said that his client would take any opportunity.
He was assessed by the Probation Service and deemed to be suitable for a community service order.
Judge Cheatle decided to leave the disqualification at six years, and ordered the accused to complete 100 hours of community service. The matter was also referred for a Probation Report.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Robyn Power
