Pleaded guilty to careless driving

JOHN CONNORS (20) from Ballypreacus, Bunclody pleaded guilty to careless driving after he took a shortcut over the grassy area in Enniscorthy’s Gimont Avenue.

However, he denied performing ‘doughnuts’ or handbrake turns while making his way cross-country near the playground in the estate.

The District Court prosecution was taken after a complaint was made by local resident Lisa Brooks on a Sunday in October of 2017.

Her report was investigated by Garda Bernard McGinley who noted fresh tyre marks on the green area close to the playground.

In her evidence to the court, Ms Brooks made it clear that no children were playing there at the time.

Garda McGinley told how he examined the scene and later spoke to John Connors who was driving a VW Caddy that day.

The witness’s reading of the tyres marks was that the rear of the van appeared to be skidding from side to side as it made the 30 yard trip across the grass.

When it was his turn in the box, Connors explained that he mounted the kerb and went across the green because another vehicle was in his way.

He said he was visiting his aunt that day and insisted that he never pulled the handbrake while driving on the grass.

However, he accepted that he was immature in his actions.

He was fined €100 for taking a shortcut as the conviction for careless driving was marked against him.