A 29-year-old Lisnaskea man who was charged with careless driving has been fined £200 and disqualified from driving for three months at Fermanagh Magistrate's Court.

District Judge Liam McNally heard how on Saturday January 17 police were tasked to the scene of a road traffic collision on the Newbridge Road Derrylin. Three vehicles were involved. There were strong winds at the time and there was debris and branches on the road.

The defendant, Colum Thomas Swift from Newbridge Road, was driving the second vehicle, a Ford Transit van. A branch on the road caused the vehicle in front to slow down. In response the defendant went into the rear of the vehicle and then steered right into an oncoming car.

The court heard that the defendant vehicle's had a high side which he was trying to steady up in the winds. It was estimated to be travelling at 50-60 miles per hour. He accepted that he should have been driving slower but had been distracted by the wind effect on the van.

Defending, Heather Phillips, BL, said her client had received a four-month suspended prison sentence for another matter a week previous. Referring to the current issue, she said the road conditions were very bad at the time with cross winds, branches and debris on the road. Swift, she said, was not driving in a manner suitable for the conditions. At the time of the incident, the defendant has a relatively small record. She said he had held a licence for 11 years.

For not producing his licence Mr McNally imposed a 12 month conditional discharge. For careless driving he imposed a £200 fine and a three month driving ban.