Man convicted after using vice grips to clamp leaking brake pipe hose
A Letterkenny man who used a pair of vice grips to clamp a leaking brake pipe has been convicted in court.
Aidan McCullagh had the brake pipe hose, which was leaking, clamped to the front driver's side wheel of his Honda Civic.
Letterkenny District Court heard details of the incident.
Sergeant Vincent Muldoon told the court that gardai were operating a checkpoint with the Road Safety Authority at Cashelshanaghan, Letterkenny, on June 20, 2024.
Sergeant Muldoon outlined that it was the day before the start of the Donegal International Rally.
The NCT on the vehicle was out of date since November 2022, the court heard.
Sergeant Muldoon said that the car was examined by an RSA inspector. The brake pipe hose was leaking and was clamped by the vice grips to the wheel and Gardai seized the vehicle.
Judge Eiteáin Cunningham said she was satisfied that the vehicle was tampered with.
Mr Rory O'Brien, solicitor for McCullagh, told the court that his client – a 20-year-old of Rann Mor Walk, Oldtown, Letterkenny – was taking the car to a mechanic who was to assist him in making repairs.
Aidan McCullagh leaving Letterkenny District Court. (North West Newspix)
News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday June 10
Mr O'Brien said the car was fully licensed and insured, but McCullagh accepted that his NCT was out of date, although he had a date booked.
'He was endeavouring to do his best,' Mr O'Brien said, adding that his client was tendering a guilty plea to the court.
McCullagh, who was accompanied to court by his mother, was fined €200 for the driving of dangerously defective vehicle, an offence contrary to section 54 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961.
Judge Eiteáin Cunningham also fined McCullagh €150 for having no NCT. McCullagh was given five months to pay the fines.
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