A 47-YEAR-OLD man who admitted responsibility for a goods vehicle that was dangerously overweight has been fined £300.

Patrick Dunne, whose address was given as c/o Edenamohill Road, Ederney, was charged with using a motor vehicle whereby the weight, position or distribution of its load or the manner in which it was secured, was such that the use involved a danger of injury to any person on September 18, 2013.

Appearing before Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Monday, Dunne entered a guilty plea to the charge.

The court heard that, at 7.35am, DVA enforcement officers were carrying out a goods vehicle operation in the Enniskillen area and stopped the defendant’s Isuzu pick-up.

He was directed to take his vehicle to the Enniskillen test centre, where it was placed on weight pads.

The two-axle vehicle was found to be overweight by around 580kgs.

After he was cautioned with the offence, the defendant replied: “I was unaware of that.”

Representing himself in court, Dunne admitted that the offence had been an error on the part of his company.

The defendant said the firm was a family business which had been going for 50 years and this was its first time in court.

Giving more details of the company, Dunne said it also employed his brother and three others.

On the morning in question, the defendant said the vehicle had been loaded with tools and equipment.

He said that it had also been carrying a water tank, which is what brought it to the attention of the police. Dunne added that the tank was empty, but had looked full.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, observed that the defendant had breached important regulations designed to ensure vehicle safety on the road.

Giving credit for his guilty plea, the judge imposed a £300 fine, a £15 offender levy and court costs of £16.