‘Unsafe’ tinted windows land rugby star in dock

A judge has ruled the dark tinted windows on rugby player Cian Healy’s Land Rover were unsafe.

The Ireland and Leinster prop was in Dublin District Court after receiving summonses, including one for breaking road traffic regulations by having dark glass fitted on his distinctive ‘12-reg Land Rover Defender.

However, he will be spared a criminal conviction and a fine if he donates €200 to charity, Judge Sinead Ní Chulachain said yesterday.

He was stopped on the Malahide Road, Dublin, on February 23, 2013, because the garda “could not see into the vehicle”.

Judge Ni Chulachain heard that when windows were tested, both the driver’s side front window and the front passenger windows were 80% tinted. Regulations say they cannot be more than 30% tinted.

Defending, David Staunton asked the court to note that Healy, from Howth Road, Killester, rectified the problem on the spot and the tinting was taken off in the presence of the garda.

He said the rugby star, who had no previous convictions, had put the tinting on his car windows for “cosmetic reasons” and now realises there are laws in respect of tinted windows.

Judge Ni Chulachain gave him until May 15 to pay the money to charity.

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