'Arrogant' farmer banned over tractor traffic jam
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
An "arrogant" farmer who held up a convoy of 20 cars as he drove his tractor home from a cattle mart has been banned for driving for one year.
In what could be an historic prosecution, the farmer, who was called "arrogant and individualistic" by a District Court judge, was told: "You don't have the right to force other people to drive at 15 miles per hour."
Michael Nevin (51) from Glenhest, Newport, Co Mayo, insisted that he had pulled over to allow traffic to overtake at the earliest opportunity when returning home from a mart on July 19 last, but gardai pursuing him said that he had passed six possible places before finally pulling in.
Mr Nevin, who plans to appeal his ban, was stopped for failing to pull over for traffic on his return from Balla mart. When stopped by gardai, he was issued with a fine which he refused to pay.
In court last Wednesday Mr Nevin told Judge Mary Devins that he had pulled over to allow traffic overtake him at the earliest point possible. However Gda John Daly insisted that Mr Nevin had passed six possible places before finally pulling-in.
Counsel for the accused argued that Mr Nevin -- an experienced Bus Eireann driver -- had an impeccable driving record and his livelihood would be compromised by a conviction under the Road Traffic Act.
However, Judge Devins convicted him, observing that Gda Daly "may be making history". She also remarked that Mr Nevin's "arrogance" was palpable in the courtroom.
Judge Devins said: "He didn't pull in and there were six places that he could have done so. I'm going to accept the evidence of the garda."
She convicted him under Section 51a of the Road Traffic Act which stipulates that due care and consideration for others must be exercised while driving.
Last night, the chairman of Mayo Irish Farmers Association, Martin Gavin, called on Mayo County Council to create the proper roadside infrastructure for members who, due to the closure of many marts, have been forced to drive long distances to sell their stock.
A council spokesman, however, said it does not have the resources to carry out such work, while the Road Safety Authority declined to comment on the matter, stating the issue was outside its remit.
The IFA's Martin Gavin said that he had "total sympathy" for the farmer.
"This issue is a major concern for farmers since an awful lot of marts around Mayo are closed down, so the infrastructure is not in place and they are forced to drive to Balla mart.
"If you are driving along the road and see some place -- you are thinking on your feet -- and you are also conscious of not slowing down too much. I have total sympathy for this man," said Mr Gavin.
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
An "arrogant" farmer who held up a convoy of 20 cars as he drove his tractor home from a cattle mart has been banned for driving for one year.
In what could be an historic prosecution, the farmer, who was called "arrogant and individualistic" by a District Court judge, was told: "You don't have the right to force other people to drive at 15 miles per hour."
Michael Nevin (51) from Glenhest, Newport, Co Mayo, insisted that he had pulled over to allow traffic to overtake at the earliest opportunity when returning home from a mart on July 19 last, but gardai pursuing him said that he had passed six possible places before finally pulling in.
Mr Nevin, who plans to appeal his ban, was stopped for failing to pull over for traffic on his return from Balla mart. When stopped by gardai, he was issued with a fine which he refused to pay.
In court last Wednesday Mr Nevin told Judge Mary Devins that he had pulled over to allow traffic overtake him at the earliest point possible. However Gda John Daly insisted that Mr Nevin had passed six possible places before finally pulling-in.
Counsel for the accused argued that Mr Nevin -- an experienced Bus Eireann driver -- had an impeccable driving record and his livelihood would be compromised by a conviction under the Road Traffic Act.
However, Judge Devins convicted him, observing that Gda Daly "may be making history". She also remarked that Mr Nevin's "arrogance" was palpable in the courtroom.
Judge Devins said: "He didn't pull in and there were six places that he could have done so. I'm going to accept the evidence of the garda."
She convicted him under Section 51a of the Road Traffic Act which stipulates that due care and consideration for others must be exercised while driving.
Last night, the chairman of Mayo Irish Farmers Association, Martin Gavin, called on Mayo County Council to create the proper roadside infrastructure for members who, due to the closure of many marts, have been forced to drive long distances to sell their stock.
A council spokesman, however, said it does not have the resources to carry out such work, while the Road Safety Authority declined to comment on the matter, stating the issue was outside its remit.
The IFA's Martin Gavin said that he had "total sympathy" for the farmer.
"This issue is a major concern for farmers since an awful lot of marts around Mayo are closed down, so the infrastructure is not in place and they are forced to drive to Balla mart.
"If you are driving along the road and see some place -- you are thinking on your feet -- and you are also conscious of not slowing down too much. I have total sympathy for this man," said Mr Gavin.
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