Man who drove without insurance for eight months due to ignored emails fined €250
The man, who was present in court and spoke for himself, told the court he was not aware his insurance policy had been inactive at that time.
A 44-year-old man who drove without insurance for eight months due to ignored emails appeared before a recent sitting of Waterford District Court.
Luke Wells (44), of Keiloge, Grantstown, Tipperary, drove without insurance on March 17, 2026, at Johnstown, Waterford, the court heard.
Mr. Wells was stopped by Garda Kelleher of Waterford Gardaí, who told the court Mr. Wells had no valid insurance on that date, and his last insurance policy had gone out of date eight months previously, in July 2025.
Mr. Wells, who was present in court and spoke for himself, told the court he was not aware his insurance policy had been inactive at that time.
He said he had received an email from his insurance provider, Chill Insurance, about the cancelation in July and August last year but hadn't noticed them.
"Again I missed it," he told the court, "I just wasn't looking at my emails."
His emails, he said, are often full of advertising and promotional emails from his insurance provider, and so he often ignores or doesn't notice them, and would have expected an official letter to be sent to his home regarding a policy cancellation.
Judge John Cheatle, who was presiding over the case, fined Mr. Wells €250, with six months to pay.
