Man who drove for 36 hours with a break of just five hours appears in court
Two men appeared at last week's district court in connection with the use of a tachograph and the taking of mandatory rest periods.
James Bracken, (45) of Pullough, Tullamore was driving a bus when he was stopped on October 31, 2022 at the Bridge Centre, Tullamore, by Garda Patrick McGee.
Mr Bracken had no card in the tachograph and failed without reasonable excuse to keep a record of his driving.
Owner of the bus Damien Newman, Moystown, Shannon Harbour, Offaly, had failed to instruct the bus driver James Bracken to take daily rest periods and to ensure the recording equipment used was in accordance with regulations.
Garda McGee said the driver had not taken sufficient rest periods and had been driving for 36 hours with a five hour break. The requirement is an 11 hour rest period which can be reduced to two stops of 9 hours and 3 hours.
Judge Cody asked if this bus was used for school runs and was told that a lot of these buses are being used for schools.
Judge Cody noted that Mr Bracken had just five hours sleep in 36 hours and it was a serious risk to the public.
He imposed fines of €1,000 on each of the defendants and warned them if either party comes back before court again it won't be the district court they are dealing with; it will be the Dublin Road in Portlaoise, he said.