Driver placed 'traveller's curse' on garda, court hears
Carlow Courthouse Photo: Michael O'Rourke
A GRAIGUECULLEN woman was convicted and fined €300 at Carlow District Court for driving while on her phone and was accused by the garda who pulled her over of threatening to place a ‘traveller’s curse’ on him.
The court heard how on 7 July 2025 at 4.28pm, Garda Ryan observed Margaret Mackey (29) of 19 Olive Crescent, Graiguecullen driving while holding a pink mobile phone up to her left ear on Kennedy Street, Carlow town. Garda Ryan told the court that he followed her vehicle, stopped her and informed Ms Mackey of what he had observed.
In response, Ms Mackey informed him that she would not be paying the ticket and said she would place a ‘traveller’s curse’ on him for doing so.
Defending solicitor Joe Farrell told the court that his client did recall the date in question, but claimed that she was holding a vape in her right hand.
Ms Mackey then took to the stand and showed the court the vape that she claimed was in her right hand on that day. When questioned, Ms Mackey described the colour of the vape as “rose gold”.
Ms Mackey went on to say that this was not the first confrontation she has had with Garda Ryan. “He intimidates me because of my partner. I have never been in trouble with the law,” Ms Mackey said.
Then, referring to the accusation that she said she would place a ‘traveller’s curse’ on him, Ms Mackey said: “I did not use my culture against him. How would I put a curse on him? I’m not anti-holy.”
However, Ms Mackey did admit to telling Garda Ryan that she would fight the charge and not pay the fixed-penalty notice.
The prosecuting sergeant asked Ms Mackey to show the phone in her back pocket to the court. Ms Mackey complied and then the prosecuting sergeant asked: “What colour is your phone?”
“I don’t know … what colour do you think it is?” Ms Mackey replied.
The prosecuting sergeant told the court that he thought her phone was pink.
During sentencing, Judge Geraldine Carthy said that the threshold for a conviction had been reached. The court heard that Ms Mackey had one previous conviction from Carlow District Court on 15 October 2020 for being an unaccompanied learner driver.
Ms Mackey was convicted and fined €300 and given 90 days to pay.
