Eric de Bruin, the husband of Olympic swimming gold medallist Michelle Smith, was fined €150 yesterday when convicted of driving without reasonable care.
De Bruin, of Kellsgrange, Kells, Co Kilkenny, was convicted of the offence at Garrandarragh, Mullinavat, Co Kilkenny, on September 23rd, 2003.
Insp Tom Duggan told the court that at 2.45 p.m. on September 23rd, temporary traffic lights were in operation at Garrandarragh. Two cars were stopped at the red light when the defendant overtook the two vehicles and went through the red light.
Mr Emmett Halley, defending solicitor, said his client had no clear recollection of the event when he was interviewed a month later by gardaí.
It would appear, he said, that there was an expectation that there would be no traffic coming in the opposite direction.
His client was 40-years-old, and the father of two children. He had no previous convictions.
Agreeing that a lot of people took a gamble, Judge William Harnett said some motorists had an expectation that it could take at least 15 minutes before the lights would change.
"Whoever sets up traffic lights must be mad," he said.
He agreed that motorists would have an expectation that if they jumped a red light they would have plenty of time to get through without meeting traffic coming in the opposite direction.
