Judge describes dangerously defective vehicle stopped in Offaly as a 30 tonne lethal weapon

THE owner of a dangerously defective vehicle was handed down three three month prison sentences at Tullamore District Court.

In his evidence to the court, Garda John O'Mara said he was operating a checkpoint on the M6, Ardan Kilbeggan to Westmeath road on May 25, 2023. He stopped a truck pulling a trailer.

The driver was unable to produce a certificate of roadworthiness. However, the driver was not the owner and all charges against him were dropped.

The vehicle was owned by Noel Hughes, Jordanstown, Lusk, Dublin, who faced four summonses.

The vehicle was inspected by a member of the Road Safety Authority who gave evidence to the court that the trailer was brought to a test centre where it failed on a number of items.

He said there were no brakes on the trailer which was used to carry bulk cement. The tyres had exposed wires and the brakes were not seated properly. He told Judge Andrew Cody that if the trailer was full it would weigh 20 to 30 tonnes.

He showed Judge Cody a picture of the tyres.The CVR ( Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) had expired three months. Mr Hughes had seven previous convictions for not having a CVR.

Judge Cody described the trailer as a 30 tonne 'lethal weapon'. It is ''shocking'' he said.

Solicitor Patrick Martin said Mr Hughes was a 71 year old man who had worked in haulage for the last 45 years. He admitted that he had a 'poor record'. He said his mechanic was on holiday and that was why the tyres were not noticed.

Judge Cody asked Mr Martin if he had seen the picture of the tyres gone down to the rim, and added that the mechanic would have wanted to be gone out of the country for six months for that to happen.

Mr Martin said there is a lot of driving in quarries which are rough. He said his client had a health condition, is on kidney dialysis and is recovering from cancer. He is down to six trucks from 26. Both truck and trailer are off the road. He does intend to withdraw from the business but he is not in a position to do so at the moment. He said his wife is now looking after things and is very diligent.

Judge Cody remarked that with seven previous convictions he didn't know how diligent she was.

The judge said the offences were shocking and very serious to the public. Mr Hughes had no respect for the public, he said.

He said to blame his mechanic was self-serving and if anyone had been killed Mr Hughes would have blood on his hands.

For the offence of driving a defective vehicle he fined Mr Hughes, €2,500 and imposed three months in prison. For the defective trailer he was fined €2,500 and a three month prison sentence was imposed. For allowing the use of his vehicle without a CVR certificate he was fined €2,500 and a three month sentence. All are to run concurrently.

Mr Martin asked Judge Cody if he would consider a suspended sentence given Mr Hughes's age. ''No'' was the reply from Judge Cody who repeated that Mr Hughes was a danger to the public.

He granted leave to appeal and fixed recognisance on his own bond of €1,000 with a cash lodgement of €1,000

MORE TO READ

New supermarket and pharmacy planned for Tullamore as part of major development

Oh God, we're in lingerie! - Offaly European Election candidate suffers Father Ted moment on campaign trail

PICTURE SPECIAL: Offaly schools celebrates Leinster and All Ireland success with big night out

PICTURES: Inside Offaly's most expensive house for sale on 96-acre estate for €1.6m