A man banned from driving based on an accumulation of points has told Waterford District Court that he only has 11.
Regix Madika (26), of Marine Drive, Tramore, pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and while disqualified, which he was charged with based on a finding by a member of the garda roads unit that, unbeknownst to him, he was disqualified from driving.
Sgt Michael Hickey told the court that on April 11, 2026, Garda Liam Marshall was conducting a speed check in Tramore when he detected the defendant travelling at 106 km/hour in an 80km zone.
He stopped and spoke to the defendant and after consulting his mobile device, Garda Marshall discovered that the defendant was disqualified from driving and arrested him.
The court was told that the defendant had one previous conviction for no insurance last year.
Acting for the defendant, Ken Cunningham said his client’s case was very unusual in that he did not know he was disqualified.
The solicitor said his client was fined for no insurance last year but was not disqualified.
He understood that he would receive five points for driving without insurance and he already had six, bringing him to 11 points on his licence.
This was confirmed by the RSA 13 days before the court sitting.
Mr Cunningham said it was a “total shock” to his client to find out he was banned from driving.
The man is due to start a teaching course, and this will cause him significant issues.
Judge John Cheatle asked if Garda Marshall could be mistaken, to which Sgt Hickey said the garda was an experienced member of the roads unit and had provided the appropriate documentation.
Judge Cheatle said that the court records indicated the man had 17 points, but he could not see how that came to be.
Mr Cunningham pointed out that his client has his licence and a valid insurance policy, to which the judge said the NDLS do not have the defendant’s current address.
Judge Cheatle said the matter is contested and the garda member does need to be in court to give evidence.
As that was not possible at this sitting, the matter was put back to June 2 for hearing.
