Storm and power cut prevented a man paying a fine, Kildare court told

The consequences of adverse weather conditions prevented a man from paying a fixed penalty notice, Naas District Court was told.

The man was prosecuted at Naas District Court after he failed to pay a fixed penalty notice - which permits the payment of a fine for minor road traffic offences within a fixed time period - instead of going to court.

It was stated that Declan O’Farrell, 62, whose address was given at Cloughrea, Drumconrath, County Meath, was holding a mobile phone while driving at Maudlings, Naas, on August 5, 2024.

Defending solicitor David Powderly said a red weather warning was in place when the defendant went to pay the fine and as a result of the storm which arrived, there was no electricity to the post office the man was unable to pay.

Judge Desmond Zaidan struck out the case.