COURT: Pensioner caused serious road traffic collision after driving through a 'Stop' sign

An 81-year-old Dungloe motorist, who spent six weeks in hospital after he was involved in a serious road traffic accident, has been fined €2,000 at Glenties District Court.
John Doherty of Ard Crone, Dungloe had a charge of dangerous driving reduced to one of careless driving before Judge Brendan O’Reilly.
He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of careless driving.
Garda Manus O’Donnell told the court the case arose out of a serious road traffic accident at Meenmore East, Fintown on May 31 last year.
Garda O’Donnell said the defendant came to a junction with a STOP sign but failed to stop and drove into the path of an oncoming vehicle causing serious damage to both vehicles.
The garda added that the female driver of the other vehicle had her children on board and all parties were taken to hospital with significant injuries.

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The court was told that alcohol was not a factor in this matter and CCTV clearly showed the defendant did not stop at the STOP sign.
Defence solicitor Robert Ryan said his client had looked right and left but the sun had caught his eyes and he missed the other vehicle.
The defendant had lost his dog, his best friend, who was killed in the accident and the defendant had spent six weeks in hospital and had a hip replacement.
The solicitor said his client needed his licence to attend ongoing medical appointments.
He lived with his elderly wife and would be in difficulties for medical appointments.

40 years
He had no previous convictions and he had been driving for over 40 years.
Garda Inspector David Durkin said he accepted the defendant’s need for his car and previous good record.
But, he said, it was a serious accident, and it was fortunate that there was no loss of life in either vehicle.
The Inspector said he would have no great will to see an elderly man discommoded if he intended to drive.
In reducing the charge to careless driving, Judge Brendan O’Reilly fined the defendant €2,000 and gave him 28 days to pay.
The judge noted the defendant’s previous good record and said he could also thank the Inspector for keeping his licence.