Kildare company fined for allowing ‘dangerously defective’ vehicle on the road

A transportation company was fined for allowing a 'dangerously defective' vehicle out on the road in County Kildare.

The vehicle belonged to Carnalway Freight Limited, with an address listed as Floods Cross in Naas.

Sitting Judge Michéle Finan was told that the vehicle was stopped at a garda checkpoint at Boycetown in Kilcock on September 28, 2020.

Gardaí said that the vehicle was in an unsuitable condition, and that it specifically was in contravention of Article 54 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961.

As a result, the driver of the vehicle was also charged with dangerous driving.

Defending solicitor Tim Kennelly said that while the driver pleaded guilty to the offence, he insisted that he was unaware at the time that the vehicle was unsafe for the roads.

He added that his client had no previous convictions.

Carnalway Freight Ltd offered to donate €1,500 to a nominated charity as a token of remorse, and to also spare the driver a conviction.

Judge Finan said that while she would accept the gesture and also the driver’s guilty plea, she stressed that she was still concerned over how the situation arose in the first place.

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The judge explained: "I do not take kindly to when companies put their workers, as well as third-parties, at risk, and then down the line, they say, 'we will put forward a donation.'

"It is cavalier, and it reeks of them (the company) not caring.

"It is not on," she added.

When the owner of the company appeared in court later on in the day, Judge Finan also warned him about the risks of allowing a 'dangerously defective' vehicle out on the roads, to which he replied that he understood her concerns.

Judge Finan also imposed a €100 fine on the company.

The donated sum of money was given to Jigginstown House.