Tractor's 'extremely close' overtake of cyclist on rural Kilkenny road ends up in court

A tractor driver who overtook a cyclist in a way that caused him ‘great concern’ has appeared before Kilkenny District Court.

Eddie Glass, Grangemore Hill, Kildare, was charged under the road traffic act following an overtaking incident on a rural Kilkenny road, on May 25, 2023.

Sergeant Morgan O’Connor told the court that on that day a male cyclist was on the R448 road from Ballyhale to Ballyanne. The cyclist was overtaken by a tractor pulling a trailer. The pass was ‘extremely close, causing the cyclist great concern and worry’.

The sergeant said the cyclist believed there was speed involved and the driver didn’t see him.
Camera footage was handed over and no use of an indicator by the tractor was evident.
A fixed charge penalty was issued but not paid.

In court Mr Glass said he was travelling from Kildare to Waterford to swap the trailer he had for another. He said he could recall going through Ballyhale and he remembered passing multiple cyclists that day but couldn’t pinpoint one.

Mr Glass said he was not aware that he did anything wrong on the day until three months later when his boss contacted him asking why gardaí were looking for him. He responded he genuinely didn’t know. A garda spoke to him but he did not recall the day at all.
Mr Glass said he works part-time and is an apprentice.

Judge Geraldine Carthy said we are well aware of what’s happening on our roads but she was satisfied that Mr Glass would be careful in the future.
The judge ordered Mr Glass to make a contribution of €200 to the Court Poor Box.