Latest news with #Hilux
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Louth man (35) cleared of wrongdoing after allegedly admitting to driving crashed jeep
Barry O'Callaghan (35), Mountbagnal, Riverstown, Dundalk, was summonsed for alleged dangerous driving and for failing to remain at the scene following a single vehicle collision at Mullatee, Carlingford, on July 17, 2023. Gda David Woods testified that at 1am he was dispatched to the scene which was on the main R176 road to Carlingford. He found a red Hilux jeep on its side, substantially damaged. A passenger was being attended to by ambulance personnel and had a bandage around his head. There was no driver present. A large amount of debris was on the road. Gda Woods said that a vehicle check showed the jeep was registered to the accused. He called to the address and was told Mr O'Callaghan was not there. He spent one-and-a-half hours searching for him, while calls to Daisy Hill and Our Lady of Lourdes hospitals proved fruitless. The witness continued that afternoon he became aware that the defendant went to Dundalk Garda Station looking for his vehicle back. An arrangement was made that he call to Carlingford Garda Station to make a statement. On the day Mr O'Callaghan attended and said he wasn't making a statement on legal advice. Gda Woods said he made a lawful demand as to who was driving and that the accused said that he was. The officer told barrister Martin Dully that this happened in the hallway of the station. He didn't record it in his notebook. Counsel said that the entire case depended on this demand, and Garda Inspector Gerard Collins agreed. Judge Nicola Andrews remarked that it was a significant concern that the driver wasn't cautioned and that the garda said Mr O'Callaghan didn't make a major admission. An independent witness gave evidence that on the night he saw lights in front of him in his lane. He moved towards the hard shoulder. The other driver pulled sharply to the left causing the crash. Afterwards an injured man was bleeding from the head. He said that his friend was driving. They realised that this person was gone. It was an 'SUV or a pick-up, red, I'd say', the witness added. Mr Dully applied for a direction on the prosecution's reliance on an alleged admission to the garda by Mr O'Callaghan which, he submitted, was difficult to understand when the defendant arrived at the station and said he was unwilling to make a voluntary statement. Counsel asked the court to treat that alleged admission with a considerable amount of scepticism. The circumstances of this alleged admission were enough to trouble the court. Inspector Collins responded that Gda Woods simply made the demand. It would be best practice to have recorded it. The evidence was given under oath that he made the demand and that the defendant admitted driving. Judge Andrews said that Mr O'Callaghan indicated he didn't want to make a statement and following that the question was asked of him. 'I have concerns around the procedure being asked that question in the corridor of a garda station and I'm not willing to accept it as evidence,' the judge added. The summonses were dismissed.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Recorder
Brakes on
Rate cuts have been more than welcoming for car buyers, and it shows in improving sales across the industry. In 10M, a 40 percent rise in cumulative sales for passenger cars, SUVs, and LCVs indicates the industry is on the mend—from a massive slump, no doubt, but definitely recuperating. Passenger cars in 10MFY25 recovered 32 percent, but it was LCVs and SUVs that shone—up 69 percent from last year. This is still behind FY23 and FY21, and significantly down from sales during FY22. This year was always going to be a slow recovery, as gradually returning appetite—which refers to not just desire but the ability to make a purchase—is being driven by better inflation levels and falling interest rates. This is not to say that the SBP is fully prepared for a resurgence in automotive demand. If it were, the regulator would have loosened the regulatory noose on car financing terms that were much more relaxed in FY22. The freeze on financing for imported cars continues—so do the high equity requirements and shorter loan tenors. Average monthly passenger car sales during the current year stood at roughly 8,300 versus 6,300 last year (10M) and almost 8,900 the year before that. The real growth in LCVs/SUVs is visible in average sales too—selling upward of 2,800 units per month this year, versus last year's 1,600 and 2,700 the year before that. From Hyundai's fairly decent volumes in Santa Fe, Porter, and Tucson, to Toyota doubling its Fortuner and Hilux sales, to Sazgar's Haval taking control of more than a third of the market (excluding Ravi sales), the climb is steep, and it is outperforming past outcomes. At a time like this, it makes sense that the smallest and the largest segments are outpacing the rest. Alto alone sold 1.2 times the total LCV and SUV sales. In terms of volumes, there is no beating this compact car. Suzuki workshops are working overtime. Advance payment is 100 percent (unlike other popular vehicles like Yaris or Civic), there's an 'own' of roughly Rs300,000 to get the vehicle immediately, and buyers will pay the price differential in full if there's a bump at delivery. These terms are stringent and yet, volumes are racking up. It remains the biggest bang for buck in the market, even at the ridiculously high price it's selling for today. On the other end are the big engines dominating both roads and market share. To a great extent, any price is fair in this segment—as long as the vehicle is competitive and delivers performance. This is the segment where assemblers can actually get creative, and those who have are seeing their sales shoot up. In a market that has been so starved for choice and variety, and one that is drawn to imported used vehicles like moth to flame, assemblers better up the ante come FY26. Because if the government goes through with its promise to liberalize the import policy—should it be so gumptious—it's game over, or at least game pause, for a lot of these.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Mullets, utes, dogs on show at muster
Russell Bradley stands in front of his 1979 Toyota Land Cruiser at this year's Ute Muster in Gore. PHOTOS: ELLA SCOTT-FLEMING An annual Ute Muster, as part of Bayleys Tussock Country music festival, featured a mullet contest where generational supporters of the hairstyle competed to see who had the best '80s-inspired locks. Utes old and new lined up at the Southern Field Days site on Sunday to be judged in a variety of categories including best deck and highest number of kilometres. The utes begin their convoy out of Waimumu's Southern Field Days site, before heading along the main drag of Gore, to Croydon Lodge for prizegiving. The pickups were not the only things assessed by the judges as a crowd of about 60 Southlanders braved the icy temperatures to watch some entertaining dog and mullet competitions too. MC Rural experience provider Real Country owner Laura Koot said there was no-one more reluctant to put themselves in the spotlight than Southland men. Theanim Wilson, winner of best mullet in the senior category at the Ute Muster. The winner in the Junior category was Liam McCullen, 9, who said he had been growing his mullet since "he was born". Theanim Wilson, who won for his grown-out 'do in the adult category, initially tried to hide his mullet, which was done by "a hairdresser". Thirteen golden retriever puppies in the back of Cody Wards' duck-hunt decorated Toyota Hilux, won "Best Dog in a Ute". Ute-wise "Best Turned Out 4WD" went to Russell Bradley for his 1979 Nissan Patrol and "The Most Kilometres" was Anthony Haines' 1999 Toyota Hilux, which had 590,247km on the clock. "Best Dog in a Ute" went to Cody Wards' 13 newborn golden retriever puppies, nestled in the back of his Hilux and surrounded by duck-shooting-themed decor. Mr Wards also won "People's Choice" with his 2006 Hilux, awarding him $500 and "Best Classic Ute — Pre 1980" was given to Harman Harvey's 1930 Ford Model A. MC Laura Koot asks Liam McCullen, 9, how long he has been growing his prize-winning mullet. GWD marketing manager Hamish Tonkin said the weather was practically "tropical" compared to last year and it was great to see so many utes in every category as well as the mullets. The utes convoyed through Main St in Gore before heading to Croydon Lodge for prizegiving.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Heart-stopping moment nappy-wearing toddler dashes into dual carriageway leaving cars braking & swerving to avoid her
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the heart-stopping moment when a nappy-wearing toddler dashes onto a busy road and comes within inches of being hit by a car. The shocking footage was caught via dashcam as the three-year-old girl darts across two lanes in Australia. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 This is the heart-stopping moment nappy-wearing toddler dashes into a dual carriageway Credit: 9 News 4 In the blink of an eye, she charges straight out into the busy dual carriageway Credit: 9 News 4 The kid comes within inches of being hit by a Toyota Hilux Credit: 9 News 4 One witness told 7NEWS he had to make a split-second decision between braking or swerving Credit: 9 News It begins with a standard view of a busy dual carriageway in Queensland. But within a split second, a small child can be seen by the roadside, running towards the middle of the road. In the blink of an eye, she charges straight out into the busy dual carriageway. The kid comes within inches of being hit by a Toyota Hilux in a terrifying moment. read more in world news WINGING IT Shock vid shows half-frozen paraglider who was sucked 5 MILES into sky by vortex The footage was captured on a 70 kmph (43.5 mph) road in Bellbird Park, Ipswich. One witness told 7NEWS he had to make a split-second decision between braking or swerving into another lane. He screeched to a halt while the Hilux driver, who was apparently unaware of the danger ahead, overtook him. The Hilux misses the little girl by a hair's breadth, who pauses for a second afterwards before continuing to charge around the busy road. Two female drivers then rushed out of their cars to pick up the child and take her to safety. "We looked around and we couldn't see any parents," one driver said. The rescuers then drove the kid to Goodna Police Station, where they discovered she had been reported missing by her worried parents. Queensland cops were then able to return the girl to her family. The kid had apparently escaped through a gap in her parents' garage door. Her parents told 7NEWS that their toddler has autism and that they were busy with two other kids when they realised she had wandered off. The heart-stopping clip has been viewed more than 100,000 times in under 24 hours. Many commenters on the video shared sympathy for the girl's parents' plight. "My son is on the spectrum and was also a runner. I feel for the parents," one viewer said. Another said: "That is absolutely terrifying. She is so so so lucky." But another viewer took a different tone, saying: "Parents need to keep their eyes on their children." "That is every parent's worst nightmare. So glad that kid is okay," said another. KidSafe Australia has warned: 'Children are vulnerable road users. "Anywhere where there is a potential for moving vehicles is a potentially dangerous traffic situation for children." A 2023 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare study found that land transport accidents are the leading cause of death for children between one and 14 years old, 7NEWS has reported.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Heart-stopping moment nappy-wearing toddler dashes into dual carriageway leaving cars braking & swerving to avoid her
THIS is the heart-stopping moment when a nappy-wearing toddler dashes onto a busy road and comes within inches of being hit by a car. The shocking footage was caught via dashcam as the three-year-old girl darts across two lanes in Australia. Advertisement 4 This is the heart-stopping moment nappy-wearing toddler dashes into a dual carriageway Credit: 9 News 4 In the blink of an eye, she charges straight out into the busy dual carriageway Credit: 9 News 4 The kid comes within inches of being hit by a Toyota Hilux Credit: 9 News 4 One witness told 7NEWS he had to make a split-second decision between braking or swerving Credit: 9 News It begins with a standard view of a busy dual carriageway But within a split second, a small child can be seen by the roadside, running towards the middle of the road. In the blink of an eye, she charges straight out into the busy dual carriageway. The kid comes within inches of being hit by a Toyota Hilux in a terrifying moment. Advertisement read more in world news The footage was captured on a 70 kmph (43.5 mph) road in Bellbird Park, Ipswich. One witness told 7NEWS he had to make a split-second decision between braking or swerving into another lane. He screeched to a halt while the Hilux driver, who was apparently unaware of the danger ahead, overtook him. The Hilux misses the little girl by a hair 's breadth, who pauses for a second afterwards before continuing to charge around the busy road. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Exclusive Exclusive Two female drivers then rushed out of their cars to pick up the child and take her to safety. "We looked around and we couldn't see any parents," one driver said. The rescuers then drove the kid to Goodna Police Station, where they discovered she had been reported missing by her worried parents. Queensland cops were then able to return the girl to her family . Advertisement The kid had apparently escaped through a gap in her parents' garage door. Her parents told 7NEWS that their toddler has autism and that they were busy with two other kids when they realised she had wandered off. The heart-stopping clip has been viewed more than 100,000 times in under 24 hours. Many commenters on the video shared sympathy for the girl's parents' plight. Advertisement "My son is on the spectrum and was also a runner. I feel for the parents," one viewer said. Another said: "That is absolutely terrifying. She is so so so lucky." But another viewer took a different tone, saying: "Parents need to keep their eyes on their children." "That is every parent's worst nightmare. So glad that kid is okay," said another. Advertisement KidSafe Australia has warned: 'Children are vulnerable road users. "Anywhere where there is a potential for moving vehicles is a potentially dangerous traffic situation for children." A 2023 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare study found that land transport accidents are the leading cause of death for children between one and 14 years old, 7NEWS has reported.
