GALWAY-BASED bus firm Citylink is to contest two charges brought against it by the Director of Public Prosecutions for operating a daily non-stop bus service between Dublin and Galway without an appropriate licence.
Citylink is licensed by the Department of Transport to run a service with scheduled stops and says it is entitled to run a non-stop service under the terms of that existing licence. However, the department refutes this claim.
Representatives from Citylink’s parent company Comfortdelgro Ltd, were summonsed to appear before Galway District Court yesterday.
Public service vehicle inspector Sgt Anthony McHugh gave evidence of inspecting the company at its registered offices at Galway Tourist Offices, Forster Street, Galway, on October 16th last year.
The company was subsequently charged with two counts of operating a direct passenger service between Galway and Dublin on October 16th last, and with operating a return service later on the same day between Dublin and Galway, without a passenger licence being granted, contrary to Section 7 of the Road Traffic Act 1932.
Senior counsel for the firm made an application to the court yesterday to have the matter adjourned to March 8th next for hearing. He indicated the prosecution had agreed to provide documents to the defence team and it was hoped this development would reduce the length of time to hear the contested matter.
Judge Mary Fahy adjourned the case for hearing on March 8th.