AN ENNISKILLEN pensioner who crashed twice in a matter of hours has avoided a driving disqualification.
John McManus (79) of Underwood Park appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to a single charge of careless driving, in relation to the incidents on November 28 last.
The court heard that around 5pm on the date in question an off-duty police officer reported a two car collision on the Killadeas Road near Castle Archdale.
The driver of one of the cars alleged McManus, who was driving a red Audi A4, was on the wrong side of the road and didn’t have his lights on.
A short time later police were called to another crash at the same location. When they arrived they found McManus had also been involved in that incident.
It was claimed McManus had “pulled straight out” of the road by the church, leading to the entrance of Castle Archdale, and collided with another car.
The court was told McManus was sent for an assessment on his fitness to drive following the incidents, and had passed his assessment.
The defendant had told police that in the first incident, the other car had come around a corner with bright lights on, which had dazzled him.
With regard the other collision, he said it was not possible to see the other car coming.
Defence barrister Stefan Rafferty said McManus had been deemed fit to continue driving, and noted his licence was very important to him as he was a carer for his wife who he took to health appointments.
Mr Rafferty noted McManus had still been in “a state of shock” following the first collision, which he said had been caused by the dazzling lights of the other car.
He noted there were thankfully no injuries in either incident.
District Judge Austin Kennedy fined McManus £350 and endorsed four penalty points on his licence.
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