Uninsured tractor driver in the Midlands crashed into neighbour's car and fled scene

An elderly farmer in the Midlands, who crashed into a neighbour’s car on his tractor and left the scene, has been convicted of careless driving and driving without insurance.

Mel Ward (77) of Sonnagh, Aughnacliffe, county Longford pleaded guilty at the local district court to eight offences arising out of the collision at Aghacordrinan on July 29, 2023.

Sgt Mark Mahon, court presenter, who outlined the details, stated that the defendant was also facing charges of failing to produce a driving licence and insurance documents.

“Mr Ward was driving a tractor and Pauline Reilly noticed a tractor on a laneway on her right and as she approached the tractor it failed to yield,” he said. “Pauline Reilly took evasive action, and she was hit on the driver’s side along the front wheel area.”

The court heard the tractor stopped and Ms Reilly could see the driver Mr Ward shaking in the tractor cab from the vibrations of the tractor.

Sgt Mahon said the defendant turned around in his tractor and drove past Ms Reilly.

“Mel Ward did not stop, nor did he exchange the appropriate information,” he said. “There is no record of him ever having a driving licence.”

Sgt Mahon said Gardaí had ‘no record’ of Ms Reilly suffering any injuries, however, a solicitor who was present disputed this.
Photographs of the extensive damage to Ms Reilly’s car were handed into Judge Owens.

Mr Ward had two previous convictions for road traffic offences.

Defence solicitor Frank Gearty stated his client was a retired bachelor with no children who worked hard when he was in better health on the farm and as a builder.

The court heard Mr Ward had received a bank loan to renovate his home before later finding out he only had a ‘life interest’ in the property and he has very limited means.

“He is now an old age pensioner, and he regretfully has no money in the bank to offer as compensation,” Mr Gearty said.

The legal representative stated Mr Ward was extremely regretful and sorry about what happened and he ‘suffered a bang to the head’ during the collision.

“He never intended to drive off or ignore the needs of his good neighbour,” he said. “He was driving the tractor as he had done for many years, his own provisional licence, which he did have many years ago, had expired and it had not been renewed.”

Mr Gearty stated in relation to insurance there was a tendency in years gone by where people thought if it was a tractor, it was alright.

“We all have seen children drive tractors. It was in the immediate locality; he seemed to think it was some sort of buffer zone close to the house,” he added.

Mr Gearty said as an act of deference to ‘those he injured’ Mr Ward has not driven any vehicle since the incident and he has no intention of driving another vehicle again in the future.

Judge Owens noted Mr Ward had previous convictions and she stated it was a ‘serious’ incident.

She decided to disqualify him from driving for four years and imposed fines totalling €800 with 11 months to pay.