Judge warns jockey he will face driving ban if caught without insurance again

A 19-year-old jockey has been convicted and fined for driving without insurance, but has been granted the court’s discretion in not facing a driving ban for a first offence. 

Jack Roundtree with an address listed as Gortaficka, Crusheen, Clare was before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, February 6. He admitted driving without insurance at Townparks, Ballyshannon on January 26, 2026. The offence is contrary to Section 56(1) and (3) Road Traffic Act 1961 as amended by Section 18 of the Road Traffic Act, 2006. 

Inspector Dermot Treacy told the court that gardaí in Ballyshannon encountered the defendant and demanded that he produce his driving licence and insurance. He failed to produce insurance at a nominated garda station within ten days. 

His solicitor told the court that the defendant had moved from England to work as a jockey.

“He had an address in Clare but is now residing up here,” she said. 

“He admits that he did not have insurance. He simply could not afford it. He was driving to go to work to earn money. He realises it was a mistake.”

The solicitor appealed to the court not to disqualify the defendant from holding a licence, given that he needed his car to get to work.

Inspector Treacy told the court that the defendant had no previous convictions.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham acknowledged the special circumstances outlined on the defendant’s behalf. She imposed a fine of €250 and agreed not to impose a driving ban on this occasion. 

However, she warned: “Should he come back before the court on a similar charge and is convicted, it will be a four-year mandatory ban.”