Very costly text message for Buncrana van driver
35-year-old seen on his phone by gardai; Fined €350 at Carndonagh District Court
Sending a text message behind the wheel of his vehicle has ended up costing one Inishowen van driver a fine of €350 in court.
Christopher Bernard Doherty, of 15 Baile na Carraige, Buncrana, did not appear before Carndonagh District Court to answer a charge of holding a mobile phone while driving.
However, Judge Ciaran Liddy ruled that the prosecution against the 35-year-old could proceed in his absence.
Garda Shauna Quinlivan, of Buncrana Garda Station, was in court to give evidence. She told of how she had been patrolling the Millbrae Road in Carndonagh on the afternoon of Friday, October 11, 2024, at 2.53pm, when she observed a male texting on his phone while driving.
Garda Quinlivan stopped the vehicle – a white Maxus van with a 221-DL registration – and spoke with the driver, who was Christopher Doherty.
A fixed charge penalty notice was later issued in the post in respect of the offence, but Mr Doherty failed to pay the fine, thereby ensuring the matter would go to court.
After hearing the evidence in the case, Judge Liddy found the facts proven and imposed a fine of €350, with three months to pay.
If he intends to appeal the verdict, Mr Doherty must first lodge €150 cash with the Court Service.