Driver fined after he fell asleep at wheel in leitrim

A 23-year-old Co Antrim man was fined after Carrick-on-Shannon District Court heard he crashed into another motorist after apparently falling asleep at the wheel. Jack Carey (23), of 2 Halfpenny Gate, Lisburn, Co Antrim, appeared before Judge Ciarán Liddy charged with careless driving arising from a road traffic collision near Ballinamore on October 24, 2024.

The court heard Carey was driving a white box van when it collided with a Skoda Rapid being driven by a woman. The collision caused both cars to leave the road. Gardaí told the court the woman attempted to alert the van driver by sounding her horn before the collision occurred, but the vehicles crashed, causing extensive damage. The court also heard the injured party did suffer injuries from the collision, and had to take time off work.

“The injured woman suffered injuries in the collision and was forced to take time off work afterwards.” In a caution statement presented to the court, Carey accepted responsibility for the incident and told Gardaí he had been driving for a long period that day and felt he “must have fallen asleep”.

Mr Collins, solicitor, appeared on behalf of Carey and told the court his client had taken full responsibility for the accident. ”He is currently working and is very sorry, he was driving for far too long” Collins said. The court heard Mr Carey co-operated fully with Gardaí following the collision and accepted responsibility for what had happened.

Judge Liddy noted that Mr Carey had no previous convictions before the court when imposing sentence. Judge Liddy convicted him of careless driving and imposed a €250 fine, allowing six months for payment.