Between fairways and fine print: Kerry judge fines golf tour company for operating without licence
The KerrymanA judge has ordered a tour operator to pay €1,000 after its conviction for transporting tourists to golf clubs around Ireland without a valid licence in a Scottish-registered vehicle.
‘Travelling the Fairways’ was caught in a planned operation between the National Transport Authority (NTA) and An Garda Siochána at St Margaret’s Road, Coollegrean, Killarney June 18, 2025.
The case came before Judge David Waters at Killarney District Court.
Anthony Carry, an NTA compliance officer, said the company had collected American tourists at Shannon Airport for a tour of Irish golf courses. He noted the driver, Harry Anderson, was ‘very co-operative’ and the vehicle carried eight passengers.
The court heard it was ‘effectively a Scottish company’ with a registered office at Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin and most of its itineraries included the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
A barrister for the company noted it had ‘operated effectively’ since 1989 and that another NTA officer had stopped one of its vehicles in 2024 and decided no offence was committed.
“It would appear different values are taken by different inspectors,” said the barrister.
Mr Carry said he left judgement to the court. “I can’t speak to another officer,” he said. “I can only speak to my experience with the company.”
The solicitor further noted licensing required significant expense and, due to the cross-border nature of the tours, “it was a grey area”. “I don’t think it is,” said the judge.
“They would be fully aware that you would require some [Irish] licence to drive their bus to the airport and pick them up,” he said. “They knew or they ought to have known.”
Judge Waters remarked that had they gotten the wrong licence, he may have struck the matter. But he noted they had gone to the trouble of registering their company in Ireland, that tours began at an Irish airport and, as experienced operators, they would be aware of licensing requirements.
“You’ve said it yourself,” he concluded. “They’re at this many years.”
He fined the company €300, noting they had no certificate ‘at all’ and ordered a payment of €700 towards costs.