Sulkie racer in Laois breached Covid restrictions

A sulkie racer breached Covid restrictions, Portlaoise District Court heard recently. 

Timmy McDonagh, 22, of Bungalow, Rathealy Road, Fermoy, Cork was charged with breach of Covid regulations at Clonad on January 24, 2021. He pleaded guilty. 

Sgt JJ Kirby told the court that at 8.05am on that date at Clonad there was a report of a sulkie race. Gardaí attended the scene and encountered the race. Mr McDonagh was one of the participants and he refused to stop for them. 

This was at the time of the five mile travel restriction. 

Mr McDonagh had no excuse for being there. 

Mr McDonagh said he was a carer for his father. He had two children and a fiance. 

Judge John King asked Mr McDonagh what made him think he could go sulkie racing when no one else could move. The Judge noted he had not stopped for the gardaí. 

Mr McDonagh said there were 20 cars behind him at the time and he could not stop. He was one of three racers. He did stop when the race finished. 

Judge King fined him €400.