Belfast cameraman fined for serious collision with motorcyclist in Wicklow
The Wicklow PeopleA Belfast man has been fined €700 at Bray District Court after his van collided with a motorcyclist in a “lapse of concentration”.
Paul Christie (38) of 12a Ravenhill Reach, Belfast was charged with careless driving under Section 52 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
The court heard both parties received treatment at the scene from the ambulance service, but no major injuries were reported.
The incident occurred when Mr Christie’s Ford Transit van cut off a man riding a motorcycle. Mr Christie accepted liability for the accident stating that “it was a lapse of concentration”.
Mr Christie’s solicitor told the court that her client “didn’t see the bike coming” and “it wasn’t deliberate”. She told the court that Mr Christie was from Belfast, and her client was a cameraman who had worked on well-known projects in film and TV.
She told the court “It is highly technical work” and that Mr Christie needs his van “as his work brings him up and down the country”.
The court heard Mr Christie has no previous convictions.
Judge David Kennedy warned “all it takes is a momentary lapse of concentration”. He added: “We are lucky that no such bad luck happened this time.”
Judge Kennedy imposed a €700 fine with five months to pay.