Christmas morning speed case struck out by district court judge

A MAN caught speeding at 12kms over the limit in an area on the main road outside Listowel had his case struck out after the district court judge heard the date and circumstances of the incident - Christmas morning last year while the motorist was on his way to collect his granddaughter from hospital in Tralee.

“Christmas morning? My oh my, oh my,” was Judge James O’Connor’s response to the matter.

Brian Kelly, Knockane, Listowel, was before Listowel District Court on Thursday charged with speeding at 72kmph in a 60kmph zone at Billeragh between Listowel and the Six Crosses on Christmas morning of last year.

Mr Kelly told the court that he had been on his way to collect his granddaughter from hospital in Tralee at the time he was clocked driving over the speed limit.

He did not contest the fact he had been driving at 72kmph in the 60kmph zone, telling the court he had appealed for leniency in the case at an earlier juncture. “It was Christmas morning, about 10.30am and I was driving to pick up my granddaughter from hospital,” Mr Kelly told Judge O’Connor.

Evidently most other motorists were at home opening presents and getting the turkey ready as Mr Kelly said the road was ‘open and clear with no other cars on it’ at the time of the offence.

“Christmas morning? My, oh my, oh my,” was the response of Judge O’Connor to the matter.“I think we’ll strike it out. You are free to go.”