‘You put everyone at risk’ — Judge spares Leitrim father driving ban

A Carrick-on-Shannon father was spared a driving ban despite being charged and convicted of driving a dangerously defective vehicle with no working brakes. At Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on September 23, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham heard evidence from Garda William Powell that Eddie Stokes, 23 Patrick’s Park, Carrick-on-Shannon, was stopped in the town on September 22, 2024, driving a Ford Mondeo that appeared to be in poor condition.

A PSV inspection later found six major defects — no serviceable brakes, disintegrated rear brake pads and calipers, an empty brake-fluid reservoir, an excessively worn tyre and a loose lower panel. Garda Powell said the vehicle was so unsafe it could not even be road-tested. “It simply couldn’t be driven safely, Judge,” Garda Powell told the court. “There were effectively no brakes.” Defence solicitor Mr Martin Burke said his client, a 27-year-old married father-of-two, was “deeply embarrassed” by the incident and accepted full responsibility.

“He should not have been on the road that day,” Mr Burke said. “He was genuinely on his way to have the car repaired. His financial situation is poor, and one of his children has significant health issues which require regular hospital visits. The family depend entirely on his transport.”
Judge Cunningham described the condition of the car as “extremely serious,” adding that Stokes had “put himself, his family and other road users at considerable risk.”

“The defects identified by the PSV inspector are very serious. Not only was Mr Stokes putting himself and indeed if he had travelled with any family members, his family at risk, but also other road users.” However, noting his limited means and clean record, the judge said she would exercise leniency.

“I accept that you are remorseful and that your circumstances are difficult,” she said. “I’m taking into account your cooperation and the fact that the car has since been scrapped.” She convicted and fined him €300, with six months to pay, but did not disqualify him from driving, warning: “This is one opportunity you get, Mr Stokes. You cannot drive vehicles that are not roadworthy. If you are before this court again for anything similar, there will be no leniency.” Mr Burke said his client was “relieved and grateful” for the outcome and “fully understands the seriousness of what happened.”

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