Offaly bus service operator fined for road traffic offence

A MAN described as the operator of a large bus service was fined €100 for speeding near Tullamore.

The local District Court was told that Brendan Mangan (61), Barnaboy, Daingean, had been widowed two months before he was stopped at Coolnahely, Tullamore on October 2 last year.

Garda Mark Shine told Judge Michelle Finan he stopped an Audi which had been detected driving at 133kph in a 100kph zone.

Garda Shine said that while the driver had no previous convictions for speeding he had nine others for road traffic offences.

Mr Mangan's solicitor, Patrick Martin, appealed to Judge Finan to show leniency, saying that his client operated 13 buses and his wife had died the August before the offence and he had been trying to keep things in order.

Judge Finan said she did not have discretion in the case because there were previous convictions but she would fine Mr Mangan €100 instead of €200 and give him 12 months to pay.