Fine and driving ban for Tullamore man caught with eight passengers in a van

A TULLAMORE man was charged with dangerous driving during last week's District Court sitting for driving a van when a number of his passengers were seated in a potentially dangerous way.

Garda Patrick McGee told the court that he stopped Igor Sili, 6 Lough House View, Shragh Road, Tullamore in Leabeg, Boora on January 1 last.

“There were eight passengers in Mr Sili's van,” remarked Garda McGee. “In the front was the driver and two others; in the seats behind were an adult and three children aged 9, 10 and 2; in the seat behind that were two adults.”

Garda McGee handed in photos of the van's seating to Judge Andrew Cody, pointing out that one of the passengers had been sitting on a chair that looked like a camping or fishing chair and was completely unsuitable.

“Passengers were not wearing seat belts. Instead, they were sitting on them, including the two-year-old child who was completely unrestrained. Four of the people were crammed into a three-seater bench seat, including three of the children.

An extra seat, the one which looked like a fishing or camping chair, had been added in the back to carry additional passengers, violating safety standards.”

The defending solicitor Brian Duffy said his client was travelling with his family to an important ceremony.

“Unfortunately his brother's car broke down as the two vehicles were travelling to the ceremony, therefore those in his brother's car moved into his van.”

Mr Sili was a Romanian national and was also charged with not having a driving licence. Judge Cody convicted and fined €1500 and disqualified from driving for three years.