A young motorcyclist was recently handed a court fine on a careless driving charge after he was involved in a collision with a tractor.
Billy O’Mahony (23) of Fairgrove Cottage, Ballyduff, Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford appeared before Judge Kevin Staunton at a recent sitting of Waterford District Court on a charge of careless driving, contrary to Section 51 (A) of the Road Traffic Act, relating to an incident where his motorbike clipped the back of a tractor that had a slurry tank attached while he was driving in Kilmeaden on 14 May this year.
The court heard that on the day in question, the farmer, who was driving the tractor, had exited a field and turned onto the road. The accused was driving behind the farmer, and after seeing the tractor ahead, was unable to stop in time. It was stated that he clipped the back end of the slurry tank as a result, and was treated in hospital for injuries including a sprained ankle afterwards.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham said his client was coming around a bend in the road at the time, and that as the tractor was turning out of the field, the slurry tank blocked the road. Mr. Cunningham said this meant the accused was unable to slow down as he had not seen it in time.
He highlighted that the accused has no previous convictions, and that his motorbike, which had cost €4,000, was written off after the incident.
Judge Kevin Staunton said that the accused was “driving too fast, and paid a heavy penalty for it,” while noting that “great care” must be taken when driving on smaller country roads.
Taking this into consideration, Judge Staunton said the incident “does not merit a disqualification” and handed down a €300 fine to the accused.
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