Drove into closed barrier as he was '˜dazzled by the sun'

Pawel Konan (46), High Street, Lurgan, was fined £100 for driving without due care and attention on May 13 last year.

He was also given three points and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy last Wednesday at Craigavon Magistrates Court.

The court heard that at approximately 7am the defendant, a taxi driver, had a front seat passenger when he drove into the closed horizontal barrier at the Omniplex complex at Highfield.

The passenger, who was being taken to her work, suffered minor muscular pain to her neck, back and shoulders.

When spoken to by police Konan said he had been dazzled by the sun.

A solicitor representing the defendant said it was only a short distance from the turn in to the barrier and his client had been dazzled by the sun.

He added that Konan accepted he should have slowed down but did not do that and the barrier came on him suddenly.

The solicitor said his client had been driving for 30 years with a clear record and had been working as a taxi driver for the last two and a half years. He was normally a very cautious and careful driver.

He added that those in charge should look into why there are no reflective markings on the barrier.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said he was satisfied it was a lapse of concentration on the part of the defendant.