Judge throws out parking case against Aran bus drivers

Two Aran Islands bus drivers, summoned for failing to comply with a County Council bye-law when they parked on the pier, had their cases struck out at Kilronan District Court today.

Judge Mary Fahy accepted the defence put forward that the summonses were actually dated four days before the Manager’s Order, which had authorised them to be issued.

Bertie Mullen, of Kilronan, and Bertie Faherty, of Oat Quarter, Kilronan, were both accused of failing to comply with the provisions of a Galway County Council bye-law (2011) for the regulation of Cill Ronán and Cill Éinne Harbour, Inis Mór, on October 15 2013.

Community Warden Martin Mannion told the court that Mr Mullen was operating his bus service within the restricted area of the pier on the morning in question. He said that Mr Mullin had been operating without a permit to do so, but had since obtained one.

The witness said that the defendant was well aware of the restrictions in operation at the time.

Robert Meehan, solicitor for the Council, advised the court that notices had been placed at the entrance to the pier, advising drivers that they could not travel down the length of it.

“This is for health and safety reasons. There are often difficulties with the amount of mini buses using the pier, and a lot of people,” said Mr Meehan.

However, solicitor for the defendants, Seán Ó Cearbhaill, pointed out that the summonses were dated March 24, 2014, but that the power authorising the issuing of them – the Manager’s Order – was dated four days later.

With that in mind, Judge Fahy struck out both cases.

Three further summonses against Mr Faherty, dated in March, April, and May 2014, were adjourned until the March 2015 court date.