Longford man escapes conviction for breaching Covid regulations

Lee O'Leary (22) of Lislea House, The Village, Main Street, Ballinalee, Longford pleaded guilty to leaving his home in contravention of health regulations when he was found by Gardaí at Ballinulty Lower, Longford.

Garda Yvonne Glacken said she was on patrol in the north Longford area on March 3, 2021 when she observed a vehicle parked in Dring Car Park on the Wednesday at 12:35am. The officer spoke to the driver of the vehicle, Mr O'Leary, and noted that he was beyond the 5km limit in force at the time.

Garda Glacken described the car park as being located between Mullinalaghta and Ballinalee and determined the defendant was absent from his home for no particular reason.

The defendant said he was after getting his car fixed and had taken it out for a drive. He was about 8 kilometres from his home.

The defendant's solicitor, Frank Gearty, said his client had test driven the car and “went a bit too far”, but added: “He may have been within the 5km zone if it was measured as the crow flies.”

Taking the facts of the case into consideration Judge Owens said if Mr O'Leary made a payment of €200 to the court poor box he could avoid a conviction.

The young man made the payment and the matter was struck out.