Debs
13-10-2005, 17:15
Former Westlife singer Brian McFadden had charges of speeding and careless driving struck out in court.
The millionaire pop star appeared at Balbriggan District Court (http://g.msn.co.uk/1ETGBEN0/124980.4?http://search.msn.co.uk/results.aspx?FORM=SRHBDY&q=Balbriggan District Court&&HL=keywordInt), in the Irish Republic (http://g.msn.co.uk/1ETGBEN0/124980.4?http://search.msn.co.uk/results.aspx?FORM=SRHBDY&q=Irish Republic&&HL=keywordInt), charged with three motoring offences on the M1 motorway in North Dublin (http://g.msn.co.uk/1ETGBEN0/124980.4?http://search.msn.co.uk/results.aspx?FORM=SRHBDY&q=North Dublin&&HL=keywordInt) dating from more than three years ago.
But Judge Patrick Brady threw out the case, saying there were unwarranted delays.
The 25-year-old former boy band member, who is now pursuing a solo career, was alleged to have driven above the 70mph speed limit in September 2002.
The court was told he had also been accused of careless driving and driving without reasonable consideration when stopped by gardai at Rowan's Big, near Balbriggan.
But the singer's barrister, Kieron Kelly (http://g.msn.co.uk/1ETGBEN0/124980.4?http://search.msn.co.uk/results.aspx?FORM=SRHBDY&q=Kieron Kelly&&HL=keywordInt), said there were no records of the speed at which the pop icon had been driving.
Mr Kelly said the State's case was supported only by one witness.
Judge Brady questioned why it had taken more than three years to bring the matter before the courts.
The court was told a series of delays had forced the case to be adjourned on several occasions.
In March last year the case was put back because the female witness to the alleged offences was due to give birth to twins. It was adjourned on another occasion because a prosecuting garda had injured his hand and was unable to attend court.A further delay occurred when McFadden's lawyer applied for a six-month adjournment as the singer was heading to Asia on a tour.
The millionaire pop star appeared at Balbriggan District Court (http://g.msn.co.uk/1ETGBEN0/124980.4?http://search.msn.co.uk/results.aspx?FORM=SRHBDY&q=Balbriggan District Court&&HL=keywordInt), in the Irish Republic (http://g.msn.co.uk/1ETGBEN0/124980.4?http://search.msn.co.uk/results.aspx?FORM=SRHBDY&q=Irish Republic&&HL=keywordInt), charged with three motoring offences on the M1 motorway in North Dublin (http://g.msn.co.uk/1ETGBEN0/124980.4?http://search.msn.co.uk/results.aspx?FORM=SRHBDY&q=North Dublin&&HL=keywordInt) dating from more than three years ago.
But Judge Patrick Brady threw out the case, saying there were unwarranted delays.
The 25-year-old former boy band member, who is now pursuing a solo career, was alleged to have driven above the 70mph speed limit in September 2002.
The court was told he had also been accused of careless driving and driving without reasonable consideration when stopped by gardai at Rowan's Big, near Balbriggan.
But the singer's barrister, Kieron Kelly (http://g.msn.co.uk/1ETGBEN0/124980.4?http://search.msn.co.uk/results.aspx?FORM=SRHBDY&q=Kieron Kelly&&HL=keywordInt), said there were no records of the speed at which the pop icon had been driving.
Mr Kelly said the State's case was supported only by one witness.
Judge Brady questioned why it had taken more than three years to bring the matter before the courts.
The court was told a series of delays had forced the case to be adjourned on several occasions.
In March last year the case was put back because the female witness to the alleged offences was due to give birth to twins. It was adjourned on another occasion because a prosecuting garda had injured his hand and was unable to attend court.A further delay occurred when McFadden's lawyer applied for a six-month adjournment as the singer was heading to Asia on a tour.