Man in court after buying a fake Spanish driving licence
The defendant pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court.
A man who bought a fake Spanish driving licence online has appeared in court.
Jonathan Pereira Bastos, of No 5 Nally Stand, Lower James Street, Claremorris, pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court to driving without a licence or insurance.
The court heard that Bastos produced a Spanish driving licence at a Garda checkpoint but later admitted he purchased it online for €150. The document was confirmed to be fraudulent following analysis by Forensic Science Ireland.
Sgt John Barrett told the court that he was conducting a checkpoint at Clare, Claremorris, on June 19, 2024, when he stopped a Hyundai i40. The driver, Bastos, provided his name, address, and the Spanish licence.
“On inspection, I was not satisfied it was legitimate,” Sgt Barrett said. “I asked how long he had lived in Spain, and he replied that he had never lived there. That set off a red flag, and he then admitted buying it online for €150.”
Sgt Barrett said it was the first fake Spanish driving licence he had encountered, noting that each genuine EU licence has a specific national watermark. He added that the use of false documents in road traffic matters has become “an increasing feature”, with some drivers attempting to avoid proper licensing and insurance procedures.
Bastos has previous convictions for similar offences and was before the courts in December 2023 for driving without a licence and using a false instrument after gardaí detected him in Tuam.
Solicitor Gary Mulchrone said his client is a 34-year-old welder who has been living in Ireland for about four years. He cooperated fully with Gardaí and accepted responsibility. He has since completed the driver theory test.
Judge Murphy said the case was “very serious", noting that the defendant had reoffended while the earlier matters were still pending.
“This is not a man with any level of naivety. Driving on our roads without insurance and with false documents is extremely serious, it puts people in danger and shows no regard for the laws of the country.”
Judge Murphy adjourned the matter to January 21, 2026, for a probation report.
- Published as part of the Court Reporting Scheme.
