Adrian Hardiman, a car dealer based in Loughglynn, Co. Roscommon, was convicted by the Ballaghdereen District Court for misleading consumers regarding the history of second-hand cars. The ruling was made on June 13, 2025, where Judge Deirdre Gearty sentenced Hardiman to 80 hours of community service instead of three months in prison and ordered him to pay the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) costs amounting to €8,241 within five months.

The case against Hardiman was initiated by the CCPC following an investigation that began in 2020 after multiple consumer complaints. The investigation revealed that Hardiman had provided false information about the mileage of cars he advertised for sale. During the court proceedings, it was noted that Hardiman had compensated the three victims a total of €5,700 for the misleading information they received.

Patrick Kenny, a member of the CCPC, emphasized the seriousness of providing false information to consumers, stating that it poses potential dangers and is a violation of consumer protection laws. He reassured the public that the CCPC would continue to monitor the motor vehicle sector and take necessary enforcement actions against traders who mislead consumers. Consumers are encouraged to report any misleading practices to the CCPC.

The CCPC also highlighted the importance of motor traders ensuring that cars are safe and roadworthy before sale, recommending that they conduct thorough car history checks. Additionally, the CCPC has published a report advocating for an online portal that would provide second-hand car buyers with free access to essential car history information, including mileage readings and write-off status.