Doctor’s letter spares driver conviction

A DOCTOR’S letter was produced as a motorist summonsed for failure to wear a safety belt came to Wexford District Court to explain how the offence occurred.

Patrick Cairns (61) from Alderton House, New Ross accepted garda evidence that he was not belted up at Trinity Street in Wexford on April 23.

He also revealed that this was not the first time he had faced prosecution for a similar offence, having been in court before in 2009.

The accused told the court he attends the urology department at the hospital in Waterford and that he does not put on the safety belt in cold weather.

Prosecuting Garda Alan Hayes pointed out that Cairns has no formal letter of exemption from the requirement to put on the belt.

However, Judge John Cheatle dismissed the matter.