Horse trainer is fined for overtaking on his way to evening meeting in Sligo

LEADING Irish national hunt horse trainer, Gordon Elliot has been fined € 200 for overtaking along hatching lanes near Castlebaldwin while on his way to an evening meeting in Sligo last August.

Elliot of Cullentra House, Longwood, County Meath admitted a charge of driving without reasonable consideration which occurred at Lecarrow, Castlebaldwin on August 4th last.

Garda Keane told the court he was in an unmarked patrol car on the N4 travelling towards Castlebaldwin when he was overtaken by the defendant who went on to overtake another car in front of him on hatching lanes.

Witness stopped the defendant who told him he was on his way to a race meeting in Sligo. This was the reason he gave for being in such a hurry, said the Garda. Traffic was relatively heavy at the time but no oncoming driver had to take evasive action, said the Garda.

He added that a fixed charge penalty notice was issued to the defendant but it wasn’t paid.

Mr Tom MacSharry, solicitor ( defending) pleaded that the defendant wasn’t in court as he was in Frnace buying horses for a client but could be in court if there was an adjournment.

The fixed penalty notice was overlooked as he was fully immersed in horse racing but he did realise the seriousness the situation, pleaded Mr MacSharry.

Judge Kevin Kilrane said he would grant and adjournment if Mr MacSharry wished but there was a plea to the matter and he had heard the facts.

“I don’t think he can advance the case,” said the Judge who fined Elliot € 200.