Gardaí seized van from man on his way to court

COURTS

A BALLINASLOE man failed to appear at the local court last week – because the van he was getting a lift to town in was seized by Gardaí for having no tax.

Brian McDonagh of 25 Curragh Park, Ballinasloe, failed to appear at the latest sitting of Ballinasloe District Court.

He faces one charge of trespass at an address in Portumna on July 27, 2025.

The court heard that the accused was en route to court on Thursday in a relative’s van, which was seized by Gardaí because it was not taxed.

The 22-year-old accused was in Tullamore when the vehicle was seized, Judge Faughnan was told. Garda Michelle Hallinan said it was her understanding that the accused was having difficulty getting a train from Tullamore to make the court sitting. Judge James Faughnan issued a bench warrant to be executed if Mr McDonagh does not show at the next sitting on October 22.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.