Man convicted of riding illegal E-Scooter
Portlaoise Courthouse
A MAN detected riding a high-powered e-scooter capable of reaching speeds of 75km/h was convicted of a road traffic offence at Portlaoise District Court last week.
Garda Ciaran O’Mahoney said while he was on mobile patrol duty at 10.37am on the morning of 25 March, he stopped a person riding an e-scooter on Patrick Street, Portarlington.
He said when it was checked it exceeded the maximum power allowed for such scooters.
Garda O’Mahoney said the maximum speed limit allowed for e-scooters is 25km/h, but the accused had one that could reach speeds of up to 75km/h.
“75km/h is a fair speed for an e-scooter,” said Judge Andrew Cody.
Garda O’Mahoney said gardaí are now starting to come across ones capable of that speed and higher.
He said a fixed charge penalty notice was issued to the defendant that went unpaid.
Alkyaim Mustafa (25), The East End Hotel, Portarlington pleaded guilty to using an e-scooter exceeding 0.4 kilowatts on the day.
Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that Mr Mustafa is currently an asylum seeker seeking international protection.
She said: “He accepts that he shouldn’t have been on it at the time. He attempted to pay the fixed charge, but found he was out of time to do so. His English is quite limited. He brought €150 with him to court to pay it.” Judge Cody convicted Mr Mustafa of the offence and fined him €150, to which Ms Fitzpatrick said: “He can pay the fine forthwith.” Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.
