Case of little-known e-scooter law struck out in Waterford court
The case was struck out because the judge felt a conviction would have been unfair
A Ukrainian man has had his case of breaching a little-known e-scooter law struck out at Waterford City District Court.
The man appeared before Judge Kevin Staunton on a summons for the carriage of goods on an e-scooter.
The judge said the state had proven their case, but a conviction would be unfair.
The court heard that on August 8, 2024, a garda observed the man, seated, travelling down the Quay with a box on an e-scooter, which he was “effectively holding in place” with his feet.
The garda took a photo of the man and issued a Fixed Penalty Notice, which went unpaid.
The solicitor acting for the defendant said that while his client admits to having committed the offence, he could not have known he was breaching the regulations.
The solicitor said at the time of the offence, the law had just been changed, was not well publicised and was not on the RSA website.
He told the court that his client is Ukrainian and his English poor, but he would think that Irish people may not be aware of the law change.
Judge Staunton said it was a difficult decision, given the number of people who say e-scooters are an “absolute menace.”
But he did appreciate that the law was not well known, and the defendant was a working man who struggled with English.
“I think it would be unfair to impose a conviction,” said Judge Staunton.
