Taxi driver reversed into toddlers in Laois estate

A taxi driver appeared before Portlaoise District Court for reversing into two toddlers. 

Luke Bree, 36, of 96 Lough Gate, Portarlington admitted to careless driving at The Glen, Kilnacourt Woods, Portarlington on March 24 last year. 

Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant had been collecting a fare in The Glen at 3.50pm on the day in question.

“When he was reversing out he made contact with a young girl and boy. They were both two years old,” said Sgt Kirby. The toddlers had been on tricycles.  The children suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital for observation. 

Sgt Kirby said the defendant had cooperated fully with gardai and had offered to call gardai at the scene. He has one minor conviction for a road traffic offence,  he added. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatick said a civil action had taken place in relation to the incident. “I am instructed that a settlement was made in relation to the toddlers,” she said. 

Explaining the circumstances, Ms Fitzpatrick said: “As they(the toddlers) were tiny, he genuinely didn’t see them.” 

“He got an awful shock,”  Ms Fitzpatrick said. 

She said her client was a taxi driver earning around €600 a week. She said he had only recently passed the test to drive a truck. 

She asked the Judge to take into account the fact that nobody was seriously injured and to consider the hardship the loss of a licence would cause her client. 

“Thank god nobody was seriously injured,” said Judge John Brennan. 

Judge Brennan said he believed the defendant had learned a lesson and had acted honourably in relation to the matter.  

However, Judge Brennan said people expect better from a professional driver. He said he wouldn’t disqualify the defendant from driving as “it would be inordinately punitive and harsh” but he did fine the man €500. He fixed recognisance in case of appeal.