Longford man hit with litter fine after he was spotted discarding cigarette on RTE news footage

A Longford man has been given a litter fine after video evidence of him discarding a cigarette butt on the street was aired on an RTE News broadcast.

William Stokes, 1 Willow Park, Strokestown Road, Longford, was leaving a special sitting of Longford Circuit Court on May 10, 2021, when RTE cameras captured him discarding the cigarette.

Mr Stokes had appeared before Judge Keenan Johnson following serious Covid breaches in light of a large wedding which took place in a marquee on the outskirts of Longford town.

The court case was reported on RTE News later that day and featured video footage of Mr Stokes leaving the courthouse.

At a sitting of Longford District Court, Padraig McGee, litter warden with Longford County Council, told Judge Bernadette Owens that Mr Stokes was observed discarding the cigarette butt at the steps of the court house.

“The evidence was on an RTE News broadcast,” he said and the broadcast was played in court for Judge Owens.

“We issued a fine in person. We called to him twice. He was sent a reminder and a final reminder,” said Mr McGee.

Judge Owens proceeded to fine Mr Stokes €150 plus €400 cost with six months to pay.