Bench warrant issued for man on overweight vehicle charges in Offaly

A man who was towing a trailer containing a digger which were both over the allowed weight restriction was also driving while disqualified, last week's district court heard.

Krzystof Pek, (29) of 41, Belgrove Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3, was stopped by Garda Patrick McGee on the N52 at Cappincur, Tullamore on November 29, 2022. Mr Krzystof had no licence to tow such a weight.

Krzystof Pek was working for owner Barry Roberts (31), Shangarry, Myshall, Carlow

Mr Pek nominated to produce the relevant documents at Tullamore Garda Station, but failed to do so.

Further investigation by Garda Patrick McGee revealed that Mr Krzystof had been disqualified from driving for 4 years on August 26, 2022. He also had other convictions for the same offence.

The owner of the vehicles Barry Roberts had no previous convictions.

Mr Roberts who appeared in court said he runs a building and civil engineering business and was working in Tullamore at the time.

He said he had four vehicles capable of pulling a trailer and digger. He said he didn't know Mr Pek was towing the vehicle and Mr Pek had no reason to do so. He said he had four other employees that had permission to pull a trailer.

Mr Roberts said that Mr Pek had produced a full driving licence when he was hired, but didn't have a trailer licence. He said he had his driving licence on file in his office.

Judge Andrew Cody told Mr Roberts to return to court with the licence. Mr Roberts later appeared with a Polish licence for Mr Pek, this was accepted and the case against Barry Roberts was dismissed. However, Judge Cody told Mr Roberts that he needs to be a lot more careful with licences.

A bench warrant was issued for Krzystof Pek who failed to appear in court.