A 29-YEAR-OLD man caught speeding in his mother’s car was on his way to an Enniskillen hotel to pay the deposit for his wedding, Fermanagh Magistrates Court has heard.

Ryan Francis McElhatton, of Dunroe Road, Augher, was charged with driving at excess speed in a 40mph limit at the A4 in Fivemiletown on January 26 this year.

He was further charged with two counts of having a defective tyre.

Defending solicitor, Katherine Knox, entered guilty pleas to all charges on behalf of her client at Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Monday.

The court heard that, at 6.10pm, police on duty at the A4 road, Fivemiletown observed a black Toyota Avensis they suspected was driving over the 40mph limit. As they followed the vehicle in question, the police car was travelling in excess of 55mph.

When officers subsequently stopped and spoke to the defendant, who was driving the Toyota, a check was carried out of the vehicle. It was noted that both front tyres were “completely devoid” of tread.

The solicitor told the court that, on the day in question, her client had been going down to the Killyhevlin Hotel to pay his wedding deposit and had decided to take his mother’s car instead of his own Ford Transit van.

Ms Knox said it had been a winter’s evening and McElhatton had not noticed the condition of the tyres, which were both subsequently replaced.

In mitigation, the solicitor said that the defendant had held his hands up and was “very sorry”. Urging the judge not to impose a disqualification, she told the court that her client was a joiner who was in business with his father.

His driving licence was “essential” as he was responsible for transporting their employees across Ireland, Ms Knox added.

Apologising to the court on behalf of McElhatton, the solicitor asked for credit to be given for his early guilty pleas and for the fact that the tyres had been replaced the next morning.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, imposed £75 fines in respect of each of the three charges. He also ordered the defendant to pay a £15 offender levy and endorsed his driving licence with three penalty points.