*John Montaine. 

The partner of Clare TD, Violet Anne Wynne (IND), John Mountaine is to contest allegedly driving with no insurance last October.

At Kilrush District Court on Tuesday, Mr Mountaine (40) was before the court concerning seven alleged offences under the Road Traffic Act including allegedly driving with no insurance and driving without a licence last October.

Sgt Aiden Lonergan told Judge Mary Larkin that Mr Mountaine’s solicitor, Patrick Moylan’s office was on notice that the hearing into the case would not go ahead today due to the unavailability of a Garda witness.

Mr Mountaine was not in attendance today as the case was not proceeding and Mr Moylan asked that the case be adjourned for hearing to next February.

However, Sgt Lonergan stated that “it is a very short documentary matter Judge. I don’t think it will take much time on any of the days”.

Sgt Lonergan asked that the case be heard earlier in January. Judge Mary Larkin adjourned the case to January.

When the case first came before Judge Larkin in May, Judge Larkin said to Mr Moylan: “If he was stopped on October 21st last why hasn’t he produced his documents”.

Mr Mountaine (40) formerly of Pella Rd, Kilrush is facing seven separate summons concerning seven separate alleged driving offences at Lack West Kilmihil in west Clare under the Road Traffic Act on October 21st last.

Mr Mountaine is facing two summons of driving his 19 G registered vehicle at Lack Hill Kilmihil on October 21st with no driving licence and failing to produce a driving licence.

The summons is contrary to Section 38(1) and Section 40 of the Road Traffic Act.

Mr Mountaine also faces a summons of driving the vehicle without an insurance policy contrary to Section 56 of the Road Traffic Act.

Mr Mountaine also faces a summons of failing to produce for a Garda a certificate of insurance of a certificate of exemption in respect of his use of the vehicle on that occasion and also failed within 10 days to produce the documentation to a Garda.

This summons is contrary to Section 69 of the Road Traffic Acts.

Mr Mountaine faces a separate summons concerning allegedly holding a mobile phone while driving his vehicle contrary to Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act at the same location on the same date.

Mr Mountaine faces a further summons of being holder of a learner permit which required him to be accompanied by and under the supervision of a qualified driver contrary to Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act.

Mr Mountaine is facing another summons of being a learner driving but not displaying rectangular plates or signs with the letter ‘L’ not less than 15 centimetres high in red on a white background also contrary to Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act.

In February, Deputy Wynne resigned from Sinn Féin in controversial circumstances. The mother of six resigned alleging “psychological warfare” and said her recent pregnancy had been used as a “further stick to beat me with”.

Deputy Wynne is continuing as an independent TD for Clare.

When the case was last before the court in July, Mr Moylan said that Mr Mountaine was homeless and living in County Longford.

Related News

ennis patricks day parade 17-03-26 o'connell street 4
'Time to rediscover Ennis' - Cllrs call for free parking to boost footfall in town
clare vs dublin 26-01-25 shane meehan conor grooke 1
Clare hurlers look to capture first piece of silverware for 2026
pa howard 1
Legacy of Clare hurling fanatic Pa Howard will live on in Tubber & further afield
banner plaza opening 02-04-26 una mcdonagh darragh o'brien pat antoinette baker bashua 1
Official opening of €20m Banner Plaza draws huge crowds to Doora
Latest News
the kilmaley inn
Dancing the night away in memory of Anne Maher
clare v tipperary u20 14-03-26 donncha o'dwyer 1
Venue change but same Clare U20 team named for Limerick game
graham shine 1
'We were hoping to get promoted but games went against us' - Shine relieved to survive relegation scare
ennis patricks day parade 17-03-26 o'connell street 4
'Time to rediscover Ennis' - Cllrs call for free parking to boost footfall in town
clare vs dublin 26-01-25 shane meehan conor grooke 1
Clare hurlers look to capture first piece of silverware for 2026
Premium
'Time to rediscover Ennis' - Cllrs call for free parking to boost footfall in town
Clare hurlers look to capture first piece of silverware for 2026
Avenue & Newmarket head forward in FAI Junior Cup
Rodgers revelling in 'uncomfortably healthy' competition for places in Clare attack
Legacy of Clare hurling fanatic Pa Howard will live on in Tubber & further afield

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.