Prison for farmer who continues to drive

A farmer who was directed to give away or sell his tractor but failed to do so has been sent to prison.

Damien Sweeney of Carrownedin, Enniscrone appeared in court previously for driving without insurance on December 18th, 2018 at Kilglass, Enniscrone.

At a court sitting last October Sweeney had been given two weeks to give the tractor away. However, at last week’s court Judge Kevin Kilrane was informed the tractor was still on his farm, along with a second tractor.

Solicitor Mr Peter Loftus told the court the tractor was still on Sweeney’s land as it was missing a part and had to be towed away in order for it to be removed from the farm.

Mr Loftus said the tractor also had no documentation so could not be sold and that was the difficulty his client was in.

Sergeant Derek Butler outlined to the court that the tractor could be sold for scrap.

Judge Kilrane described Sweeney’s lack of effort to get rid of the tractor from his land as, ‘downright stubbornness’.

The court was told he had 17 previous convictions including no insurance, dangerous driving, and endangerment.

Sweeney had previously been disqualified from driving for 20 years.

The court was told that on the night in question gardaí observed an unregistered tractor driving. Gardaí engaged the blue lights of the patrol car, however, Sweeney failed to stop the tractor and drove for a further 2km before stopping at his home.

No documents were produced following the detection.

Mr Loftus told the court his client was under constant supervision and if he had been driving the tractor since the last court he would have been detected by gardaí.

The solicitor said his client was only using a tractor on his farmyard to bring bails to cattle.

“He has already been suspended for 20 years, ye he continues to drive, with a patrol car on his tail. He’s been given a chance but continues to drive.”

Judge Kilrane convicted Sweeney of driving without insurance, sentencing him to five months in prison and disqualifying him from driving for 20 years. A charge of driving without tax was taken into consideration. Recognisance was fixed.

An initial application was made to the court to postpone the sentence to allow Sweeney make arrangements to sell his cattle. Mr Loftus indicated that no appeal of the sentence would be lodged.

Instead of granting a postponement, Judge Kilrane put the matter back to March 5 th next, remanding Sweeney on bail to appear before court on that date.