A man who caused a three-car pile-up on the main road between Athlone and Ballinasloe whilst turning right across the traffic was fined €200 this week (October 6 ) but kept his licence after some judicial sympathy was shown.
Before the court was Patrick Naughton (33 ) of Thomastown, Ballydangan, Athlone on a charge of careless driving after trying to turn into his parents house at the same address at 6.45pm on November 27 last year.
Gardai told the court how he hit one car travelling east, and was then pushed back into the path of the third car in the westbound carriageway.
There was no evidence of any injuries or the amount of damage done.
“Ah. The dreaded right turn,” said Judge David Anderson.
“It seems impossible to legislate for a right hand turn and nobody knows how to stop them.”
His solicitor argued Naughton needed his licence for his job and for bringing his mother shopping in Athlone and the judge accepted this.
He fined Naugton €200 and gave him three months to pay.
Naughton had originally been charged with dangerous driving (S53 ) but this was amended to a careless driving (S52 ) charge when
