Courts / Dublin / Report
Bus driver who struck bridge is fined
Summary
On 7 March 2022, Francis Leonard, a 60‑year‑old aircraft maintenance engineer, drove a double‑decker bus carrying 17 passengers, including 15 schoolchildren and two teachers, to a sports game when the vehicle struck a rail bridge on Moyne Road, Baldoyle. The bridge had a clearance of 12 ft 8 in (3.85 m) while the bus was 14 ft 3 in (4.35 m) high, and three height‑limit signs had been posted. Leonard had been asked to step in at short notice to drive the bus, a vehicle he was not accustomed to, and had to change routes due to roadworks. The bus hit the bridge at low speed, shearing off its top; no passengers were injured and the bridge sustained only minor chipping. Leonard pleaded guilty to one count of driving a vehicle under a structure where the height exceeded the bridge's clearance.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Bus driver who struck bridge is fined. Charges or matters: one count of driving a vehicle under a structure, namely a rail bridge, where the height of the vehicle exceeded the height of the bridge, which was indicated by traffic signs. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 7, 2022 Incident
- 2023-02-21 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of driving a vehicle under a structure, namely a rail bridge, where the height of the vehicle exceeded the height of the bridge, which was indicated by traffic signs (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She said the court would order the deferral of a three-month prison sentence and give Leonard the benefit of the Probation Act so long as he complies with a number of conditions before the case is finalised later this year.
Places mentioned
- Moyne Road
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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