Co Kildare horse trainer tells Naas Court how he watched girlfriend's brother in 5 horse pile

A Co Kildare horse trainer told Naas District Court the horror of watching his girlfriend's brother fall in a race that has left him paralysed.

The young man appeared before Naas District Court charged with not paying a fixed penalty notice for using a mobile phone while driving.

Garda Deirdre Barry outlined to the court how in August  2016, at 4.14pm, in Newbridge, she saw the accused drive around a car park while 'holding a mobile phone.'

She outlined how she spoke to him and that he told her that he had just seen his girlfriend's  brother fall off a horse.

Garda Barry issued the accused with a fixed penalty notice of a €60 fine.

The accused who is in a horse training business with his girlfriend told the court how he had gone to a bookies to watch the race.

He said:"There was a five horse pile up. I rang my girlfriend immediately. The air ambulance had been called."

The accused said that while he was driving he got a call for next of kin details and that he pulled into the car-park.

He outlined how Garda Barry knocked on the window of his door.

He said: "I told her about the accident."

The accused said that he was in England and did not know anymore about the situation until a Garda issued him with a notice. He told the court how he had no points in his licence and never normally drove while using a mobile phone.

The accused said that he was very surprised that Garda Barry had gone on to issue him with a fixed penalty notice.

Judge Brian O'Shea said: "While I do have every sympathy, where do we draw the line?."

The accused has been convicted and fined €200.