Socialite Marcus Sweeney cleared of motoring offences

Tom Tuite

Celtic Tiger restaurateur Marcus Sweeney has been cleared of driving a car without insurance or a valid NCT.

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

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

He was accused of not having insurance, failing to produce insurance, driving a vehicle without a valid NCT, and not displaying a disc.

The alleged offences involved a 2012-reg car.

Mr Sweeney, of Little Acre, Summer Hill Road, Dunboyne, Co Meath, had to come to court in December when the case was adjourned, and the defence indicated the case would be contested.

His solicitor, Michael French, had told Judge Michele Finan that 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.

Driving without insurance, on conviction, can result in being fined up to €5000, disqualified or getting penalty points, or a prison sentence of up to six months.

He returned to court on Tuesday.

His solicitor, Mr French, provided his client's documentation and then successfully applied for a strike-out.

Mr Sweeney previously had a relationship with the model.