Judge tells psychotherapist to bring postmistress to court

A judge has told well-known Limerick-based psychotherapist, Michael Horgan, to produce his postmistress and a local authority official in court in his attempt to beat a speeding prosecution.

Mr Horgan of Ashbourne Park, South Circular Road, Limerick is accused of speeding in a 50kmph zone at Dough, Lahinch on March 4th of this year.

He told Ennis District Court he did not receive the fixed charge penalty notice due to problems with post in his area and that the Clare County Council speeding sign was indecipherable on the date in question.

He said that he has brought the situation to the attention of his postmistress on a number of occasions.

Judge Patrick Durcan said: "It would be unfair that I would make an order that would impinge badly on An Post because you are probably aware that An Post has threatened to close down 400 small post offices and I'm sure yours is one of them."

Faulty sign

He said that he would require evidence from Mr Horgan’s postmistress the next day in court. “I want to be satisfied that there is a problem in the area.”

Mr Horgan said he wrote to the county council to highlight the fault with the sign. He said he was informed by the council that the signs had been replaced and that everything was in order.

On reading the letter, Garda Seamus Gleeson told the court that he was satisfied as to Mr Horgan’s evidence in highlighting the faulty speeding signs.

However, the judge said he also required the evidence of the county council official in the case and adjourned the case to November 3rd.