Banana was a slippery slope to €900 in fines

The antics of motorist Lee Gabbett (32) of 9 Harbour View, Maudlintown in Wexford failed to amuse either Garda Cathal Burke or Judge Gerard Haughton as he incurred €900 in fines.

Burke gave evidence of spotting the van driven by the accused, who was not present in court, at Ballinvalley, Ballyedmond on March 9.

The defendant had a mobile phone with a yellow cover pressed to his ear while driving, though he denied this when challenged by the garda.

Asked what the yellow object had been holding, he produced a banana.

The absent defendant was fined €300 for using the mobile phone, €300 for not having a certificate of roadworthiness, and €300 for failure to produce any such certificate at a garda station as requested.