Former Kerry All-Star avoids driving ban after insurance cert 'oversight'

James O'Donoghue was randomly stopped by gardaí in Killarney in November 2023

James O'Donoghue of Legion in the Kerry Intermediate Club Championship semi-final between Milltown/Castlemaine and Legion in Killarney in September 2023. Picture: Don MacMonagle

A 34-year-old former All-Star and Kerry footballer has avoided a driving ban after what the court was told was an oversight which found him driving without an insurance certificate when stopped by gardaí in Killarney last November.

Killarney District Court heard James Joseph O’Donoghue of 8 Scrahan Court, Ross Rd, Killarney, was randomly stopped by Garda Patrick Carmody at Park Rd, Killarney, on November 6, 2023.

He failed to produce an insurance certificate on demand on the occasion or within 10 days. 

His solicitor Padraig O’Connell said Mr O’Donoghue was pleading guilty, he was very cooperative, and caused no issue on the occasion. 

He was a noted sportsman and working in a bank. What was involved was an oversight, the solicitor said, asking that his client, who had no previous conviction, not be disqualified.

Documents were produced and all was now in order, Mr O'Connell said.

Judge David Waters convicted Mr O’Donoghue of the insurance offence under the Road Traffic Acts and fined him €250. Mr O’Donoghue is the holder of two All-Star awards, in 2013 and 2014, and he was footballer of the year in 2014.