Judge: Kinsale roundabout ‘more a mystery than Fatima’

THE traffic lane system on one of Cork’s busiest roundabouts has been described by a circuit court judge as being more mysterious than the Third Secret of Fatima.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin’s made the comment at Cork Circuit Appeals Court while he was hearing evidence in an appeal case where a motorist was using a mobile phone as he negotiated one of the intersecting lanes at the Kinsale Road roundabout.

The judge remarked: “If you could find out what lane you were in on the Kinsale Road roundabout.”

He continued: “They talk about the Third Secret of Fatima — this is a bigger secret.”

State solicitor Edward O’Hanlon observed: “The RSA [Road Safety Authority] says follow the arrows.”

But the judge rejoined: “God bless the RSA.”

Judge Ó Donnabháin was dealing with an appeal from Cork District Court by a motorist, John Walsh, of 16, Glenanaar, Boreenmanna Road, Cork, who had been fined €350 for holding a mobile phone while driving.

Garda Anne Roche testified that Walsh, aged 52, was on the Kinsale Road roundabout at the time of the offence on March 18, 2010.

Walsh was appealing the severity of the fine, and Judge Ó Donnabháin yesterday agreed to reduce the penalty to €150.

But he also reminded the court of his attitude to the use of phones while driving, which he described as dangerous.

“I do regard holding mobile phones [while driving] as a complete scourge, and it is a scourge that is getting worse,” he said.