Man who revved motorcycle 'to the max' in front of gardaí at West Cork Rally had no tax or insurance

A Cork man who revved a motorcycle in front of gardaí and sped off had no insurance or tax for the vehicle when he was stopped a short time later, the district court has heard.

Outlining the facts of the case at Clonakilty District Court Sergeant Tom Mulcahy said the incident occurred during the West Cork Rally weekend in Clonakilty at 3.30pm on March 15, 2025.

Gardaí on patrol at Park Road in Clonakilty observed a man riding a Yamaha 700 motorcycle “erratically” and revving the machine “to the limit” in a busy area. When the rider — identified as 32-year-old Kevin Barrett of Kilready, Ballinhassig, Co Cork — saw the garda car he left the area “at speed”. 

Barrett was stopped a short time later at Casement Park in Clonakilty where it was discovered that the insurance for the motorcycle had expired on March 3 and the vehicle was not taxed. The court heard that Barrett had five previous convictions but none for driving without insurance.

Defence solicitor Plunkett Taaffe said Barrett had got the bike insured a few days later and had also paid the back tax. He said his client had been on holidays before the rally and the insurance for the bike had lapsed while he was away.

Mr Taaffe said that Barrett’s main vehicle was a work van and he also owned a classic car, both of which were insured and taxed. The court heard Barrett also paid a fixed charge penalty for driving without due care and attention.

Judge Joanne Carroll convicted Barrett of driving without insurance and fined him €175 which was paid in court. The no tax charge was struck out.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.