This article is from page 24 of the 2012-09-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 24 JPG
A 79-YEAR-OLD farmer was confused when he drove the wrong way up the dual carriageway near Bunratty earlier this year, a court has heard.
Stephen Costelloe had been driving to Shannon Airport to meet his son when the incident occurred on the N18 at Bunratty on January 27, 2012. At Ennis District Court on Wednes- day, Mr Costelloe, with an address at Busherstown, Moneygall, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of careless driving.
Garda Barry Doherty of Shannon Garda Station told the court that Mr Costelloe drove in the wrong direction after becoming “confused”. The court heard that the incident occurred at around 6.50pm.
Defence solicitor Tom Stamp said his client had been “very confused” on the night.
He said Mr Costelloe was very “lucky” not to have been involved in an accident.
Garda Doherty told the court that he had seen “numerous” incidents where drivers had travelled the wrong direction on the dual carriageway and motorway.
Noting Mr Costelloe’s good record, Judge Patrick Durcan ordered him to pay € 250 to the court poor box by January 9, 2013. No conviction was recorded against Mr Costelloe.
Judge Durcan said that there is an onus on drivers to drive responsibly.
However Judge Durcan added that if the fine was not paid by January, then Mr Costelloe would be convicted of careless driving.
Addressing Mr Costelloe, Judge Durcan said, “I understand completely what happened. I wish you a safe journey home.”