A transport company and one of its employees have been fined at a recent sitting of Fermanagh Magistrates Court after it emerged that a driver did not take sufficient rest periods.

Resident Magistrate Bernadette Kelly heard how on 28th November last year, the defendant William Richard Rountree from Legamaghery Road, Fintona, was driving for Loane Transport Ltd, Main Street, Kesh, when a vehicle examiner on duty asked him to produce his typography charts.

He noted that the driver had not taken sufficient rest period on 27th and 28th November. Rountree faced offences of failing to take daily rest on 27th November and for failing to take weekly rest on 27th and 28th November.

In response, Rountree said, 'The work had to be done', 'There wasn't any point', and 'You have to go on and the delivery has to be done'.

PRESSURE

Defending, Gary Smyth told the court that his client (62) was under pressure to go ahead and get the work done. He submitted that he had been driving for 39 years and had two grown up children. Ms Kelly imposed a £100 fine for each offence and court costs.

Defending for Loane Transport, Michael Sides said the company had eight lorries and nine drivers and had been in business for half a century. The company, he said had accepted its liability and its obligations under legislation. He urged the RM to consider his relevantly early plea.

For causing or permitting the contravention of failing to take a daily and weekly rest period on 27th November, Loane Transport was fined £150 on each charge.