A man was fined €250 in the District Court this week (April 28 ) for not controlling a herd of horses as he tried to corral them down a lane with a jeep.
The court heard from Garda Brian Keane, called by other residents of the lane in the Derries on September 4 about this unique obstruction, that he found it difficult to pass the animals which belonged to Francis Derwin (39 ), of Auburn, Athlone.
“But what were they doing on the road?” asked Judge David Anderson.
“They were being led,” said Garda Keane.
“To water?” mused the judge.
Garda Keane described the lane as a narrow cul-de-sac with an ‘S’ bend across a railway track, and this was where the hold up was.
“They were coralling them in a jeep, and what was particularly funny was they asked us to wait while they did this,” saId Garda Keane.
Derwin’s solicitor, Mr Paul Connellan, told the court how his client runs an equestrian business and that this lane, with nine other properties on it, runs down the middle of his farm.
“One of Mr Derwin’s staff was with them [the horses],” said Mr Connellan.
“I’m assuming there’s no issue about it being a public place?” asked the judge, and Mr Connellan conceded this.
“He was using a jeep to do this?” asked the judge of Garda Keane, and was told he was. After warning Mr Connellan that this sort of driving could jeopardise a licence, he was told it was a first offence.
“All right then, but will you tell him not to be doing that there any more,” said the judge, before fining Derwin €250.
