A 24-YEAR-OLD man caught speeding at over 90mph outside Maguiresbridge told police the offence was down to his own “silliness”, Fermanagh Magistrates Court has heard.

Joseph Edward Gilbride, a self-employed electrician of Rusheen Heights, Knockarevan, Garrison, pleaded guilty to driving at excess speed in a 60mph zone on August 28 this year.

The court heard that, at 2.30pm, police carrying out laser speed detection duties along the Belfast Road, Maguiresbridge recorded the defendant’s white Subaru Impreza driving at 91mph.

After he was stopped and cautioned with the offence, Gilbride replied: “Silliness.” Defending solicitor, Reggie Ferguson, told the court that his client had co-operated fully with the police in the aftermath of the offence.

Mr Ferguson said that the defendant spent a lot of time working in Holland and Germany and, on this occasion, had been travelling from Belfast back to Fermanagh.

The solicitor said that Gilbride had been driving behind a convoy of trucks and had executed an overtaking manoeuvre in the overtaking lane. He added that there had been “no danger” to oncoming traffic.

Urging the judge not to disqualify the defendant, Mr Ferguson said that the loss of his licence would “greatly inconvenience” him on his travels to and from Europe.

Describing his client as a hard-working young man who had a clear record, the solicitor said Gilbride would take this court appearance as a salutary lesson.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, observed that, not without some hesitation, he would not impose a disqualification.

The judge took into account that the defendant was in the overtaking lane, had a clear record and also the importance of his licence to his employment.

Imposing a £300 fine, a £15 offender levy and six penalty points, Mr Broderick warned Gilbride that he would be likely to lose his licence if caught driving at that speed again.