Cars driving behind Sulky race in Portlaoise

A court heard a car was following a sulky race on the wrong side of the road with a person hanging out the rear window.

Michael Stokes, 22, of 11 St Anthony’s Park, David McCarthy Road, Hollyhill, Cork was accused of driving without reasonable care at Clonad, Portlaoise on January 24, 2021. 

Abbeyleix based Garda Sergeant Michael Carey said Gardai were alerted to an incident at Clonad, Portlaoise just off the Motorway on the Abbeyleix Portlaoise Road at 8am on the date in question. 

He said there was “a sulky race with a number of vehicles behind it”. 

Sgt Carey said one vehicle was across the road on the wrong side with a rear passenger hanging out the window. 

He stopped the vehicle and issued a fixed charge penalty notice. The fine went unpaid. He said the defendant has 14 previous convictions including seven for road traffic offences. 

Judge Andrew Cody fined the man €300 and disqualified him from driving for three months. He fixed recognisance in case of appeal.