A man who had his children unrestrained in the back of his car was convicted and fined €500 at Ballinrobe District Court last week, with Judge Mary Devins telling the defendant: “I sincerely hope that you learnt your lesson.”
On Friday February 27 this year at 12.20pm, Thomas Conroy, 40 Churchview, Ballinrobe, was observed by gardaí driving his Volkswagen Golf on Church Lane, Ballinrobe, with his 14-year-old child not restrained in the car. A fixed charge penalty notice was issued but was not paid.
Judge Devins asked the prosecuting garda if there were any other children unrestrained in the car to which she was told that there were six other children in the car aged from six months up, with only the baby restrained.
Conroy, who has 14 previous road traffic convictions, was attending the funeral of his uncle that day and was only travelling a short distance.
Judge Devins said that “reluctantly I won’t disqualify” and convicted and fined the defendant €500.
