Clare postman got ‘bull thick’ over speeding ticket, says garda

A POSTMAN got “bull thick” with a garda after he found out he was getting a speeding ticket, a court has heard.

At Ennis District Court, Garda Darren Lynch said he was operating a speed detection point at Cahercalla More, Kilrush Road, Ennis on January 14, 2021, when he stopped a vehicle driven by Gearoid Noel O’Brien (25).

Garda Lynch said the vehicle was detected driving at 82 km per hour in a 60km zone

The garda said Mr O’Brien told him he had been “caught here before” and that he was not going to pay any speeding ticket.

Garda Lynch said Mr O’Brien then said to him, “Shove it (ticket) up your hole, you fat b*****d”.

Mr O’Brien, with an address at Villa Park, Monmore, Kilrush, denied speeding and contested the summons against him.

In cross examination, defence solicitor Daragh Hassett put it to Garda Lynch that it appeared that he and his client did not get on too well on the day in question.

“We got on fine until he realised he was getting a ticket”, Garda Lynch said.

He added, “When he realised he was getting the ticket, he got bull thick.”

Mr Hassett said his client, a postman who knows the area where he was stopped well, “regrets hugely what he said to you”.

In his evidence, Mr O’Brien said, “I just want to deeply apologise for my actions.”

Mr O’Brien said he had a good view of Garda Lynch, from about a “mile away” as he approached.

He said the stop occurred at around 1.20pm and there were no other cars on the road.

Of the location, Mr O’Brien, said he had been “caught here before” and he was not going to get caught again.

He denied speeding and said he was travelling at a speed of about 50km/h.

“I was almost crawling past him,” he added.

Mr O’Brien said he asked to see the speed gun and Garda Lynch did not show it to him

However, Garda Lynch said the accused had never asked to see the speed gun and it would have been made available to Mr O’Brien had he asked to see it.

Judge Mary Larkin said it appeared the accused had formed a view before he met Garda Lynch.

Judge Larkin said she did not think the garda is in the habit of “coming into court and making things up”.

“I feel Mr O’Brien should learn to engage with people in the way he would like to be engaged with in his job,” the judge added.

Judge Larkin told Mr O’Brien “put on your polite face, keep you polite tongue in your mouth and be civil,” the next time he meets a garda.

Judge Larkin imposed a €100 fine and set recognisances in the event of an appeal.

Mr Hassett indicated his client will appeal the conviction in the circuit court.

By Ronan Judge