Gardai seek ban on elderly Offaly driver who knocked down pedestrian

AN elderly driver who knocked down a pedestrian in Birr pleaded guilty to careless driving.

Gardai sought a special disqualification order after a guilty plea was entered by Gene Barry (85), Sandymount Avenue, Birr.

When he appeared before Tullamore District Court Mr Barry admitted careless driving at Wilmer Road, Birr on March 3 last year.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns said the prosecution resulted from a pedestrian being knocked down near a car park shortly after 7pm.

Mr Barry failed to observe the pedestrian crossing the road and while the pedestrian sustained damage to a knee, there were no breaks or fractures.

Sergeant Kearns told Judge Andrew Cody he had been asked to seek a special disqualification order in the case.

Patrick Martin, defending solicitor, said Mr Barry was a man who was still driving and was fully insured on the day of the incident.

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Mr Martin said he was not sure what the basis for the application for a special disqualification order was.

Judge Cody said the accused man knocked a pedestrian down and Mr Martin replied that the pedestrian had not been crossing at a pedestrian crossing.

Sergeant Kearns said the matter could be adjourned so that the prosecuting guard, Garda Michelle Sweeney, could attend court.

Mr Martin said his client had no previous convictions and only used his car for short journeys, including visiting his wife in a nursing home.

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The solicitor described what had happened as a “momentary lapse”.

Judge Cody adjourned finalisation of the matter to April 23 next for a medical report. He also granted Mr Barry legal aid.