Carlow driver fined for running red light
Shamrock Plaza
A DRIVER from Coolkenno found himself seeing red at Carlow District Court last week after unsuccessfully arguing that a traffic light was green when gardaí said it was clearly not. John Lacey (40), of Crecrin, Coolkenno, Tullow, was convicted of running a red light at Shamrock Plaza, Tullow Street, Carlow on Saturday afternoon, 12 November 2024.
The court heard that Garda Phelan was one vehicle behind the defendant when he observed Mr Lacey “approach in clear view” of the traffic lights. The garda told Judge Geraldine Carthy that the filter light was not green and that he had a clear view showing the light was red.
After pursuing the defendant and pulling him over near Carlow Train Station the garda questioned Mr Lacey about the incident.
In his defence, Mr Lacey insisted he had a clear recollection of events. He told the court that he had just finished work that Saturday and remembered drinking a can of coke before approaching the junction. “The light was green when I approached,” he maintained. “I believe the garda saw this.”
Mr Lacey’s defence took an interesting turn when he suggested the light must have changed to red just after he passed through, claiming he was already 100 yards down the road before the garda caught up with him. This delay, he argued, was because the garda had to wait for the light to turn green again.
However, when it was suggested that he might have been “distracted by eating chips at the time”, Mr Lacey said he believed the garda caught him on amber lights, adding that they were “very funny traffic lights, they can change over very quick”.
His barrister attempted to cast doubt on the evidence, noting that Mr Lacey had asked the trainee garda accompanying Garda Phelan if she had seen a red light, but she hadn’t observed either way. The defence argued that without independent witness testimony, there might be reasonable doubt.
“Mr Lacey didn’t seek an easy out: he has given what he felt was an honest answer,” the barrister argued. “I submit that Mr Lacey should be afforded the benefit of the doubt.”
Judge Carthy was clear in her view of the situation. “I don’t have a doubt,” she replied firmly. “I absolutely accept Garda Phelan’s evidence.” Mr Lacey was convicted and fined €250, to be paid within 120 days.
