A tractor driver who claimed he never received a fixed charge penalty notice for holding his phone while driving was issued a court fine recently.
Richard Roche (36) of Curraghmore, Slieverue, Co. Kilkenny, appeared before Judge Kevin Staunton at a sitting of Waterford District Court this month, where he was charged with holding his phone while driving.
The court was told that on 11 August, 2025, Gardaí were on patrol on the N29 road near Rathpatrick, Slieverue, Co. Kilkenny. They stopped a tractor driver, who was identified as the accused, after they observed him holding his phone in his right hand while driving. It was stated that a fixed charge penalty notice sent to the accused went unpaid, and a certificate of postage was presented to Judge Staunton.
The defendant testified and told the Judge that he never received the notice, adding that there are others living near him with the same surname, and post had gone missing around that time.
Judge Staunton said he couldn’t accept that the accused never received the notice, and was ‘satisfied’ it was posted from the certificate he was shown.
The Judge handed the accused a €500 fine for the offence and said “you can appeal it if you wish”.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Robyn Power
