Wrong turn in West Cork town costs van driver €300

The motorist ended up driving the wrong way down a one-way street, admits he was not familiar with Clonakilty

Clonakilty District Court heard that a road traffic accident occurred on Ashe St, Clonakilty at 1.12pm on July 8, 2025. File picture: Dan Linehan

A van driver who took a wrong turn in a town he was not familiar with so that he ended up driving the wrong way down a one-way street has been fined for his troubles in the district court.

Clonakilty District Court heard that a road traffic accident took place on Ashe St, Clonakilty, at 1.12pm on July 8, 2025.

CCTV footage showed that a white Fiat Scudo van, which was not involved in the incident, turned right at a no-right-turn sign at Astna Square onto Ashe St and drove the wrong way down a one-way street.

The driver of the van was identified as Mark Buckley, aged 52, from Droimneach, Bweeng, Co. Cork. 

Mr Buckley admitted he was the driver of the van and told the court he was not familiar with Clonakilty and had not driven in the town before.

The court heard that Buckley, who represented himself, had two previous convictions for road traffic offences. 

Buckley pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a directional arrow contrary to Section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1994. 

Judge Andrew Cody convicted Buckley and fined him €300 allowing him three months to pay the fine.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.