Socialite Marcus Sweeney faces hearing on driving charges

Tom Tuite

Celtic Tiger restaurateur Marcus Sweeney has pleaded not guilty to driving a car without insurance or a valid NCT certificate and will face a court hearing next year.

Mr Sweeney (46), a former boyfriend of the late supermodel Katy French, who ran Il Pomo D'Oro on Dublin's South William Street before a receiver was appointed in 2007, appeared at Dublin District Court on Friday.

Gardaí summonsed him to face five charges under the Road Traffic Act concerning alleged motoring offences at the R136 road in Tallaght, Dublin, on February 7th, 2022.

He is accused of having no insurance, failing to produce insurance, using a vehicle without a valid NCT and not displaying a disc. The alleged offences involve a 2012 registered car.

Mr Sweeney, of Little Acre, Summer Hill Road, Dunboyne, Co Meath, did not address the court when his case was called.

Judge Michele Finan asked if he had brought his documents.

Solicitor Michael French, defending, told the court there was "an issue about the registered owner of the vehicle".

None of the prosecution's evidence was heard, and Mr Sweeney was not required to testify at Friday's hearing, but his solicitor told the court his client may have to at the next stage in the proceedings.

Mr French asked the court to give a hearing date, and Judge Finan said it would go ahead on March 12th.

The offences in the case are summary matters, which will be heard by the District Court.

Driving without insurance, on conviction, can result in being fined up to €5,000, disqualified or getting penalty points, or a prison sentence of up to six months.

It is an offence to drive a vehicle, four years after first registration, without a current NCT certificate.

The penalties are an initial €60 fixed charge to be paid within four weeks, which later increases to €90 and three penalty points.

Extra penalty points and a harsher fine or prison sentence can follow if the matter goes to court for non-payment.