Man on speeding charges has courtroom in hysterics after telling registrar in taking oath: ‘Ah sure, whatever you like’

A motorist charged with speed related offences twice in two days left a courtroom in hysterics last week when telling a registrar: “Ah sure, whatever you like,” when asked if he wished to swear under oath or provide an affirmation.

Richard Shaw, Tuitestown, Crookedwood, Mullingar, Westmeath delivered the humourous response at Mullingar District Court concerning two speeding summons from April, 2025.

Mr Shaw appeared after his 09 registered vehicle was observed exceeding the speed limit along the R394 at Milltown, Castlepollard, Westmeath on April 18 and April 19.

In response to not guilty pleas to each alleged offence, Mr Shaw took to the witness stand.

And, as he was asked by the court registrar whether he wished to give a sworn undertaking or affirmation to the court, Mr Shaw replied: “Ah sure, whatever you like.”

It was a statement that caused laughter in the courtroom, so much so that Judge Bernadette Owens chose to temporarily rise from her bench to allow normal service to resume.

A short time later, when proceedings resumed, Mr Shaw told the court through his solicitor Louis Kiernan that he had not received either FCN (Fixed Charge Notice) in the post.

“If I did get them, I wouldn’t he here at all,” he said.

Mr Shaw was also asked by Mr Kiernan if there had been occasions in the past when his post had gone mistakenly to other identically named persons living in his locality.

“An odd time, yeah,” he replied.

Judge Owens said a certificate of postage had been handed in, but with no way of being able to categorically prove one or both FCNs had been received, the court was compelled to strike out both summonses.